The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has filed charges against the former governor of Murang’a County and several other officials over a Ksh 140 million procurement scandal.
According to the EACC, the former governor, Mwangi Wa Iria, is accused of abuse of office, unlawful acquisition of public property, conflict of interest, and money laundering in relation to dubious publicity contracts awarded to a private media firm during his tenure.
“The Commission has submitted the investigation report to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who has independently reviewed the case and concurred with our recommendation to charge the suspects,” said EACC Deputy CEO Abdi Mohamud in a press release.
In addition to Wa Iria, the others facing charges are the former county secretary, Patrick Kagumu Mukuria, as well as directors of the two companies involved – Top Image Media Consultancy Ltd and Value View Ltd.
The EACC alleges that between 2014 and 2016, the county government awarded KES 140 million in publicity tenders to Top Image Media Consultancy, a firm partly owned by some of the accused individuals. Investigators found evidence of collusion, conflict of interest, and the misappropriation of public funds.
“The suspects are to be charged with various offenses, including conspiracy to commit corruption, abuse of office, unlawful acquisition of public property, conflict of interest, and money laundering,” Mohamud added.
The EACC has directed all the accused persons to report to their offices by Tuesday morning to face the charges.
