Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) have arrested the wife of former Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria Jane Waigwe Kimani and her brother Solomon Mutura Kimani.
Both are suspects in the Ksh140 million Murang’a County graft case which is under investigation by the anti-graft watchdog.
The two were arraigned before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court for plea-taking.
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"They are the Directors of Value View Ltd, one of the companies used as a conduit in the fraudulent scheme. EACC is pursuing the other 6 suspects, including the former Governor, who failed to honour summons to appear before it on Wednesday, 8 am," EACC said on Wednesday.
EACC had ordered the eight suspects in the graft case to surrender at the Integrity Centre building on Tiesday at 8:00 am, but they failed
"The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) received a complaint in regard to allegations of procurement irregularities and conflict of interest in the award of publicity tenders by the County Government of Murangia to M/s. Top Image Media Consultancy Ltd at a cost of Ksh140,000,000 during the Financial Year 2014/2015 and 2015/2016," EACC said.
"Upon conclusion of the investigations, EACC submitted the investigation report to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who upon independent review concurred with the Commission's recommendation to charge the following officers."
The other six suspects, named by EACC, include Patrick Kagumu Mukuda (former county secretary) Jane Wanjiru Mbuthia (Director, M/s. Top Image Media Consultancy Ltd), David Maina Kiama (Director, M/s. Top Image Media Consultancy Ltd), David Maina Njeri (Director, M/s. Top Image Media Consultancy Ltd) and Peter Muturi Karanja, a personnel assistant to wa Iria.
Charges
EACC wants wa Iria and his co-accused to be charged with conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption contrary to section 47a (3) as read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2011, abuse of office contrary to section 46 as read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act no 3 of 2003 and unlawful acquisition of public property contrary to Section 45)1)(a) as read with Section 48(1), of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act No. 3 of 2003.
The anti-corruption commission also wants them charged with conflict of interest contrary to section 42(3) as read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003, dealing with suspect property contrary to section 47(2)(a) as read with sections 47)1) and 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003 and money laundering contrary to section 3 as read with section 16 of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act Cap 59b Laws of Kenya.
"The commission hereby directs all the above-named persons to report to EACC Headquarters located at the Integrity Centre Building, or the nearest EACC regional office, by Tuesday, 16 April 2024, 8:000 am, without fail," EACC added.
