Long day for Wamatangi in EACC probe into alleged graft
The governor was arrested early in the morning at his residence by sleuths after they were issued a warrant to conduct searches at his office and residence
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi spent the whole day at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) headquarters being grilled over allegations of conflict of interest, procurement irregularities, and abuse of office against the senior officials in the awarding of a contract for the supply, delivery, installation, testing, training, commissioning, and support services of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System.
The governor was arrested early in the morning at his residence by the EACC sleuths after they were issued a warrant to conduct searches at his office and residence.
He was later transferred to the Integrity Centre, where he recorded a statement for the better part of the day.
The contract, valued at Ksh 230 million, was awarded to M/S Filtronic International Limited during the 2022/2023 financial year.
EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud indicate the governor, together with nine other officials of the devolved unit, engaged in trading with the county and allegedly received payments totaling Ksh 1.5 billion through irregular procurement processes and fictitious supplies, in violation of public finance management and procurement laws.
The nine include the County Executive Committee Members for Finance and Land, Nancy Njeri Kirumba and Salome Muthoni Wainaina, the County Secretary, Peter Ndegwa, Chief Officer Finance, William Kinyanjui, Director for Supply Chain, Phyllis Wanjiru Muiruri, the Director of Revenue, Henry Mburu Waweru, a clerical Officer, Paul Kibe Wangari, and the Director for M/s Filtronic International Limited, Bernard Kabaiku Theuri.
Mohamud indicated that during the raid, the sleuths recovered Ksh12 million and US$13000 in cash, which shall be used as evidence of proceeds of corruption in the case.
He added that the investigations are still on, and appropriate actions shall be taken against those found culpable.
“Today’s operation has resulted in the recovery of critical evidentiary material to support ongoing investigations. This includes the seizure of Sh12 million and USD 13,000 in cash from the residence of Governor Kimani Wamatangi, which is suspected to be proceeds of corruption,” he stated.
“Upon conclusion of the investigation, the findings will guide the appropriate course of action, which may include the prosecution of any individuals found culpable, the forfeiture of unexplained assets, and the confiscation of proceeds linked to corruption,” he added.
However, speaking after his grilling, Wamatangi termed the arrest by EACC as intimidation by powerful individuals over his political stand.
He accused the anti-graft commission of failing to cordially invite him to their offices to record a statement if they needed any.
“They would have summoned me to record a statement instead of raiding my residence while I was still sleeping. That is pure politics and intimidation. All this is happening due to politics, he claimed.
