Former Murang'a Governor Wa'Iria To Be Charged with Sh140 Million Fraud

Source: Capital FM Kenya
Author: Editorial Desk

NAIROBI, Kenya Apr 14 - Former Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria is among eight former county officials facing charges from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) over alleged procurement fraud amounting to Ksh.140 million between 2015 and 2016.

The DPP announced has indicted the eight individuals for irregularly awarding tenders and engaging in other procurement irregularities to siphon public funds from the county when he was Governor.

The DPP said he was satisfied with an investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) which shows that the suspects unlawfully awarded tenders to Top Image Media Consultancy Limited and Value View Limited, disregarding conflicts of interest clauses.

The other individuals facing charges alongside Mwangi wa Iria are Patrick Kagumu Mukuria, Jane Wanjiru Mbuthia, David Maina Kiama, David Mamma Njeri, Jane Waigwe Kimani, Solomon Mutura Kimani, and Peter Muturi Karanja. They include directors of the companies and county staff.

The DPP's statement highlighted that the investigation by the EACC focused 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.

The DPP is seeking to charge the eight individuals with conspiracy to commit corruption, abuse of office, and unlawful acquisition of public property. Additionally, they face charges of conflict of interest, dealing with suspect property, and money laundering, as per the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Saturday, April 13, announced that it had recommended six charges against former Murang'a governor Mwangi wa Iria.

In a statement, ODPP revealed that the former governor and other former county officials should be charged with procurement irregularities and conflict of interest of Ksh140 million. This was arrived at following an investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on procurement irregularities and conflict of interest in the award of publicity tenders by the County Government of Murang'a to two media consultancy firms in the Financial Year 2014/2015 and 2015/2016.

Should the former governor who is a principal at Azimio la Umoja coalition be found guilty of the charges, he will face a jail term and possible hurdle in running for office in future."Mwangi Wa Iria, Patrick Kagumu Mukuria, Jane Wanjiru Mbuthia, David Maina Kiama, David Maina Njeri, Jane Waigwe Kimani, Solomon Mutura Kimani, Peter Muturi Karanja, were found to have engaged in procurement irregularities in the award of publicity tenders," a statement from ODPP read in part.

The former governor will now stand trial for conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption as well as abuse of office.