Mwangi Wa Iria Released From Industrial Area After Complying With Court’s Bond Terms

• Former Murang'a governor Mwangi Wa Iria was released from Nairobi's Industrial Area Remand Prison after spending three nights in custody
• The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) stated that Wa Iria was released after complying with the court's bond terms
• Wa Iria was detained after failing to raise the cash bail of KSh 10 million, which was an alternative to the KSh 20 million bond set by Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki
• The former governor pleaded not guilty to corruption charges, including abuse of office, conflict of interest, unlawful acquisition of public property, and money laundering

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - Former Murang'a governor Mwangi Wa Iria has secured his freedom after spending three nights in prison after failing to secure his release in a KSh 562 million graft case.

Why was Wa Iria released

On Friday, May 3, the Usawa Kwa Wote party leader walked free from Nairobi's Industrial Area Remand Prison.

In a statement, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) said Wa Iria had been released after complying with the court's bond terms.

"Following compliance with the Anti-Corruption Court’s bond terms, today, Friday, graft suspect Mwangi wa Iria, former Murangá County Governor, will be released from Industrial Area Remand Prison," read the statement in part.

Why was Wa Iria detained?

On Tuesday, April 30, the former governor was arraigned in court, where he pleaded not guilty to corruption charges.

Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki released Wa Iria on a bond of KSh 20 million and an alternative cash bail of KSh 10 million, which the accused person did not manage to raise.

In a statement, EACC said Wa Iria failed to raise the cash bail, forcing him to be remanded at the Industrial Area Prison.

"Former Murang'a governor Mwangi Wa Iria has been remanded at Industrial Area Prison after pleading not guilty to various corruption charges, including abuse of office, conflict of interest, unlawful acquisition of public property and money laundering," EACC said.

The former governor is charged alongside his wife Jane Waigwe Kimani, brother-in-law Solomon Mutura, personal assistant Peter Muturi Karanja and others in relation to tenders for media and publicity irregularly awarded to a company linked to them.

Gideon Moi urges Mwangi to pray for enemies

Meanwhile, while attending the burial of the late June Moi in Nakuru, former Baringo senator, Gideon Moi advised Wa Iria to pray for EACC officials who were after him.

Gideon said the officials deserve prayers and accommodation at servants' quarters when they make it to heaven someday.

The ex-Baringo senator was referring to a quote in the Bible that urges people to pray for those who wrong them.

What else you need to know about Mwangi Wa Iria's case

• A helicopter landed at Mumbi Grounds to pick orders barring his arrest after his spouse was nabbed.
• He attended June Moi's burial amid the pursuit by the anti-graft officers.
• The EACC summoned former Murang'a governor Mwangi wa Iria and his wife, Jane Waigwe Kimani, to appear at the Integrity Centre on Tuesday, April 17 at 8am.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.