Former Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria’s wife has been arraigned at Milimani anti-corruption court over a Ksh140 million graft case.
Jane Waigwe Kimani and her brother Solomon Mutura Kimani were arrested by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) sleuths on Wednesday morning and immediately taken to court for plea-taking before Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki.
They are among eight individuals set to be charged over Ksh.140M procurement fraud in Murang’a County government.
The whereabouts of the former county boss is still unknown following reports that he evaded arrest.
Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru has obtained conservatory orders stopping the arrest of the former governor, his wife Jane Waigwe Kimani and brother-in-law Solomon Mutura Kimani.
The lawyer claimed the arrest was politically instigated.
“It is uncouth for EACC officers to break into Wa Iria’s home, mishandle his children and arrest the wife, having not issued a summon to the suspects. This is a political witch-hunt” he said.
The suspects were required to appear in person on Tuesday, 16 April, 2024, 8:00 am at EACC headquarters for processing but did not show up.
According to a DPP statement released on Saturday, the eight are accused of irregularly awarding tenders and other procurement irregularities totaling the aforementioned amount between 2015 and 2016 at the devolved unit.
The DPP noted that a probe by EACC revealed that the suspects fraudulently awarded tenders to Top Image Media Consultancy Limited and Value View Limited with disregard to conflict of interest.
The other five are Patrick Kagumu Mukuria, Jane Wanjiru Mbuthia, David Maina Kiama, David Mamma Njeri, and Peter Muturi Karanja.
“This follows an investigation by EACC on procurement irregularities and conflict of interest in the award of publicity tenders by the County Government of Murang’a to M/S Top Image Media Consultancy Ltd in the Financial Year 2014/2015 and 2015/2016,” stated DPP.
The suspects are to be charged with the following offences; Conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption contrary to section 47 a (3) as read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2011.
Similarly, abuse of office contrary to section 46 as read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act no 3 of 2003, unlawful acquisition of public property contrary to Section 45(1)(a).
As well as dealing with suspect property contrary to section 47(2)(a) and money laundering.
Additional reporting by Ruth Wamboi (courts)
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