EACC probes Kiambu Governor Wamatangi over Sh230m tender scandal and abuse of office
EACC has said that once investigations are complete, the findings may lead to the prosecution of those found culpable, the recovery of unexplained assets, and the seizure of proceeds of corruption.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has started investigating Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi over suspected procurement irregularities, conflict of interest and abuse of office.
This comes after EACC officers executed search warrants at the homes and offices of nine individuals, including Governor Wamatangi, on Tuesday.
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According to EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud, Wamatangi, alongside the senior county officials and associates, is linked to a Sh230 million contract for an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, believed to have been awarded under questionable circumstances.
The individuals under investigation include Kiambu County Secretary Peter Njoroge Ndegwa, Finance CEC Nancy Njeri Kirumba, Lands and Housing CEC Salome Muthoni Wainaina, Finance Chief Officer William Kinyanjui Kimani, Supply Chain Director Phyllis Wanjiru Muiruri, Revenue Director Henry Mburu Waweru, Clerical Officer Paul Kibe Wangari, M/s Filtronic International Limited Director Bernard Kabaiku Theuri.
EACC said the investigation centres around alleged financial and procurement malpractices, including conflict of interest and abuse of office in the awarding of the Sh230 million ERP contract to M/s Filtronic International Limited during the 2022/2023 financial year.
The officials are also suspected of receiving up to Sh1.5 billion through irregular procurement and fictitious supplies, in breach of public finance and procurement laws.
Money recovered
The anti-corruption agency reported that during the Tuesday morning raid, it recovered crucial evidence, including Sh12 million and $13,000 (Sh1.6 million) in cash from Governor Wamatangi’s residence.
“The cash is suspected to be proceeds of corruption,” Abdi said.
Wamatangi had earlier arrived at the EACC headquarters at Integrity Centre to record a statement following the operation.
The investigation comes amid mounting public and political pressure over alleged financial mismanagement under the current county leadership.
Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thang’wa has been among the most vocal leaders demanding action. In February 2024, he raised the alarm over a shift in the county’s payroll system from an automated platform to a manual one, which he claimed enabled fraudulent payments.
“The reversion to a manual payroll system, under the guise of technical issues, has created the perfect environment for theft. Suspected ghost workers have received over Sh390 million in fraudulent payments,” Thang’wa said on February 27, 2024.
The senator further alleged that at least 15 officers had amassed more than Sh500 million through the scheme and over 200 people had been hired irregularly under fraudulent contracts.
Plunder of public resources
“I urge the EACC to act swiftly and decisively in halting this plunder of public resources and bringing those responsible to justice,” he said.
Following the revelations, other leaders, including Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah and Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, joined the call for urgent action.
On November 27, 2024, they demanded that the EACC and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) investigate the findings of a report by the Auditor-General that raised questions over county expenditure.
“I want the DCI and EACC to read the auditor general’s report and investigate what happened. Whether you are an MCA or a governor, your days are numbered, and in Kiambu County, the days have finally come,” Ichung’wah said.
“Let EACC and DCI take the report, do investigations, and arrest people.”
MP Ng’ang’a also accused Governor Wamatangi of embezzlement and called for accountability.
EACC has said that once investigations are complete, the findings may lead to the prosecution of those found culpable, the recovery of unexplained assets, and the seizure of proceeds of corruption.
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