Since 1956, Kenya has had anti-corruption legislation. The first was the Prevention of Corruption Act (Cap 65), which was, however, repealed in May 2003. In 1993, there were efforts to establish an anti-corruption squad within the CID wing of the police. Unfortunately, the squad was disbanded in 1995 before it could make an impact.

The Prevention of Corruption Act (Cap 65) was later amended in 1997 to provide for the Kenya Anti-Corruption Authority (KACA), the first Government anti-corruption agency established bylaw. The first director of KACA, John Harun Mwau, was appointed in 1997.

In 2000, the High Court, in Gachiengo vs Republic, ruled that KACA undermined the powers of the AG and Commissioner of Police. The High Court held that the statutory provisions establishing KACA were in conflict with the Constitution. As such, KACA was disbanded.

In 2003, however, two statutes were enacted to relaunch the fight against corruption: Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act and the Public Officer Ethics Act Section 70 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act repealed the Prevention of Corruption Act. The law also established the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC).

Kenya signified its commitment in the fight against corruption by becoming the first country in the world to ratify the UN Convention Against Corruption in December 2003 in Merida, Mexico. This was after becoming a signatory to the AU convention on Preventing and combating Corruption in 2003 Kenya later ratified the AU Convention in 2007. In 2004, a National Anti-corruption Steering Committee was established to complement KACC in the fight against corruption.