Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok Monday suffered a setback after the High Court declined to issue orders stopping his arrest and arraignment.
The governor, under a certificate of urgency, had moved to court seeking orders to suspend any further steps towards his arrest, charging, and taking of plea in relation to corruption allegations he is facing.
In his application, Barchok argued that the charges were baseless, malicious, and intended to tarnish his reputation, insisting that the payment he received from Chemasus Construction Limited was a legitimate lease transaction that bore no connection to the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA).
He further claimed that even a basic investigation would have shown that no conflict of interest existed. However, Justice Bahati Mwamuye directed that the petition be served on the respondents, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and set the matter for mention on September 7, for compliance.
EACC on Friday summoned the Bomet Governor and former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati over corruption-related allegations. They were to appear before EACC on Monday September 1, 2025 when Barchok moved to court.
The commission said it had received consent from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to charge the two alongside several associates and company directors linked to their cases.
Barchok and Evans Kipkoech Korir, a director of Chemasus Construction Limited, are facing allegations of conflict of interest in procurement dealings at the County Government of Bomet.
ODPP last week approved charges leveled against the Bomet governor following investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
According to the ODPP, the cases relate to inquiries into county government operations that raised allegations of procurement fraud, conflict of interest, and misappropriation of public funds.
DPP Renson Ingonga said Barchok is to be charged with conflict of interest and unlawful acquisition of public property.
Investigators allege that companies linked to him received payments from the Bomet county government between the financial years 2019/20 and 2025.
Justice Mwamuye, in orders issued on Monday, directed Barchok to serve his petition to the EACC in both soft and hard copies by tomorrow, September 2, 2025.
“The respondent (EACC) shall enter appearance and file and serve its response to both the application and the petition by close of business on September 19, 2025,” Mwamuye said.
The court directed that the matter be mentioned on October 7 for further directions on an expedited hearing and determination.
President William Ruto has in recent statements reiterated that the government remains committed to combating corruption.
