Nairobi, July 19 -- The High Court has blocked the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) from investigating Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) over commodity loan arrangements involving two tea factories, ruling that the anti-graft watchdog has no role in investigating private entities.

Justice William Musyoka said KTDA is a private entity and that the EACC lacked jurisdiction to investigate the contested commercial transactions because they did not involve public officers, public funds, public resources or bribery.

At the centre of the legal dispute was the EACC's March 31, 2026 notice requiring KTDA Management Services, KTDA Holdings and acting Chief Executive Francis Miano to surrender documents on commodity loan facilities i...