Mwangi Wa Iria Woes: EACC Gives Former Murang'a Governor Less Than 24 Hours To Surrender

• Former Murang'a governor Mwangi wa Iria has been evading arrest since the DPP approved charges against him and the seven others
• According to EACC, Mwangi awarded tenders to Top Image Media Consultancy Limited and Value View Limited, disregarding conflicts of interest
• The DPP recommended they be charged with abusing office, conflict of interest, conspiracy to commit corruption, handling of suspect property, money laundering, among others

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has 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.

They, along with six other individuals, have been avoiding arrest in connection with a procurement tender valued at KSh 140 million.

Following an investigation by the EACC, the Director of Public Prosecution authorised charges against them.

"EACC has ordered former Murang'a governor Mwangi Wa Iria, his spouse Jane Waigwe Kimani, and 6 other suspects, currently at large in an attempt to evade arrest, to immediately report to EACC headquarters at Integrity Centre for processing with the graft charges they are facing. Suspects are required to appear on Tuesday, 16 April, 2024, 8am, without fail," read the summon.

What offence did Mwangi, 7 others commit?

As per the findings, they unlawfully awarded tenders to Top Image Media Consultancy Limited and Value View Limited, disregarding conflicts of interest.

"This followed 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.

The eight were discovered to have been involved in procurement irregularities in awarding publicity tenders to Top Image Media Consultants Limited and Value View Limited,” the DPP stated.

Now, the DPP recommends charges including abuse of office, conflict of interest, conspiracy to commit corruption, handling of suspect property, money laundering, and unlawful acquisition of public property.

These charges violate Section 3 and Section 16 of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act.

Kwale brothers arrested over KSh 48.9m graft

Meanwhile, in February 2024, EACC nabbed five blood brothers for fraudulently receiving KSh 48.9 million through their private companies.

The brothers held critical dockets in the county government of Kwale and the national government.

According to EACC, the siblings utilised their registered firms to transfer unauthorised payments from the county.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke