Wamatangi accuses rivals for his arrest by EACC
He claims anti-graft authority had no specific thing they were looking for at his residence and office
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has accused the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) of using his official name to dupe the court into issuing a search warrant at his residence and offices.
According to the governor, who is better known as Wamatangi, if EACC were to use his official name, the court would not have issued a search warrant because he works well for the county of Kiambu.
Though he did not deny it being his name, the governor stated that that was the merit they used to get the search warrant, as he alleged that the anti-graft authority had no specific thing they were looking for at his residence and office.
“They told the courts that they wanted to search the house of Paul Kimani Njoroge, and that is what helped them. Otherwise, the court would not have issued it,” he claimed.
He termed his arrest as intimidation by his political competitors, adding that those who want to be governors of the densely populated county only need the support of voters and not intimidation.
Even though he did not mention names, Wamatangi alleged to have received a call from a top political leader who warned him that even though he would finish his term as governor, his name would be tarnished and he would face blackmail.
“I received a call from one of the top leaders who warned me that some faction is against my good work and is focused on blackmailing me. I shall not be intimidated. I was elected by the people of Kiambu, and I know it is them who decide who gets to govern the county,” he stated.
Earlier, Wamatangi was arrested at his residence in Kiambu County and taken to EACC headquarters at Integrity Centre for grilling 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 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 said the Kiambu governor, together with nine other officials of the devolved unit, engaged in trading with the County and 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.
EACC said its detectives recovered Ksh 12 million together with US$13,000 during the raid.
“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,” Mohamud revealed.
