By Peter Ochieng
Former Murang’a governor Mwangi Wa Iria will spend the night in prison, after failing to raise Sh10 bond.
Wa Iria who served as Murang’a county chief for two terms, from 2013 to 2022 has been remanded at Industrial Area Prison after pleading not guilty to various corruption charges, including abuse of office, conflict of interest, unlawful acquisition of public property and money laundering.
He appeared in court alongside his co-accused David Maina Njeri and Solomon Mutura. They both pleaded not guilty.
Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki released Wa Iria on a bond of Sh20 million and an alternative cash bail of Sh10 million, which the accused person did not manage to raise.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) says the charges facing Mwangi wa Iria, his wife Jane Waigwe Kimani, brother-in-law Solomon Mutura, Personal Assistant Peter Muturi Karanja and others relate to tenders for media and publicity irregularly awarded to a company linked to them, known as Top Image Consultants at a cost of between Sh351 to Sh562 million.
The crime was reportedly committed during the financial years 2014/2015 and 2015/2016, during the former governor’s first term in office.
Directors of the company are Jane Wanjiru Mbuthia and David Maina Njeri, who are close associates of the former governor.
“Mwangi wa Iria and his wife directly benefited from the Sh562 million paid by Murang’a county government to Top Image Media Consultants Limited, whose directors are Jane Wanjiru Mbuthia and David Maina Njeri. Part of the money was sent to Mwangi wa Iria foundation and another part used to settle Wairia’s loan at CFC Stanbic Bank,” states EACC.
“In addition, Jane Waigwe Kimani (wife to Mwangi wa Iria) and Solomon Mutura (brother to Jane Waigwe) are the directors of Value View Limited which benefited from funds paid to Top Image Media Consultant through purchase of prime land in Nairobi and Mweiga and two (2) Holiday Homes in Nanyuki,” adds the anti graft agency.
EACC has since filed a civil suit in the High Court, in a bid to recover all the public funds lost.
Before being arraigned in court, the suspects were first taken taken to EACC Police Station for fingerprint taking and statement recording.
The matter will be mentioned on May 14th, 2024.
Jane Waigwe Kimani and David Maina Kiama, who were absent from today’s proceedings, were directed to appear in court on May 7, 2024, to take plea.
