The embattled former Murang’a governor Mwangi Wa Iria has this morning presented himself before the Integrity Centre Police Station domiciled at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (Eacc) headquarters for pre-charge processing before he, alongside his wife are arraigned to face Sh351million graft charges.
Also present are his co-accused persons, his wife and brother-in-law will face prosecution over the theft of Ksh351million of public funds.
Wa Iria and his co-accused surrendered after the court vacated orders barring his arrest and prosecution.
Yesterday, Justice Nixon Sifuna of Milimani of Anti-Corruption High Court declined to extend orders suspending their prosecution and ordered wa Iria, his wife Jane Waigwe Kimani and her brother Solomon Mutura Kimani to surrender before the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (Eacc) yesterday evening for processing ahead of plea-taking today, Tuesday at 9 am.
“I direct the three to cooperate with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and EACC for purposes of being processed for plea taking. They are granted anticipatory bail against EACC to enable them to present themselves before EACC today for fingerprint taking and statement recording. Thereafter, they shall leave and present themselves for plea taking tomorrow at 9 am before the chief magistrate Milimani Anti-corruption court.” Justice Sifuna ordered.
The court ordered wa Iria, his wife and Mutura to be escorted by their advocates led by Wilfred Nyamu and Ndegwa Njiru to EACC for processing and statement recording.
The judge has also directed that the seven co-accused persons of the former county boss who did not plead to the charges today as earlier ordered should also present themselves before court tomorrow to face trial.
“Any of the other seven as per the charge sheet who have not taken plea today shall present themselves for plea taking tomorrow. In the interim period between today and tomorrow 9 am they shall not be arrested.” Sifuna ordered.
Justice Nixon Sifuna directed that the former county chief, Jane Waigwe Kani and Solomon Kimani cooperate with EACC and DPP and present themselves for fingerprint taking and statement recording.
“In the intervening period between now and tomorrow they shall not be arrested. They shall have their advocates escort them to the Eacc.” The Judge ruled.
The high court in Murang’a had issued temporary orders stopping their charging in court.
But those orders were vacated by Muranga Presiding Judge James Wakiaga who subsequently transferred the matter to the Nairobi High Court Anti-Corruption Division for further directions.
