Ex-Governor in dock over corruption allegations

By Samuel Ouma

Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka

Former Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka Mwangi on Friday was arraigned in court and charged with flouting of public procurement which led to loss of Ksh.50 million ($50000).

The ex-County boss was charged alongside both former and current Water, Environment and Energy County Executive Members Grace Gitonga and Gichinga Gaiko respectively and five others who are yet to be arrested. Other charges against them are abuse of office, Disposal Act and failure to comply with laws regarding the management of public funds.

The Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 ordered his arrest and prosecution over fraudulent Ksh.50 million ($50000) water and sewerage tender in 2014.

“The former County boss and Ms. Gitonga will be charged with willful failure to comply with the law relating to public procurement, contrary to section 45 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003,” read the statement by Haji.

The accused persons are alleged to have awarded Tahal Consulting Engineers Ltd an irregular tender that was not budgeted for in the 2013/2014 financial year to redesign sewerage system. The investigations also revealed that at the time of transaction, the company was not a lawful entity, which was in breach of Public Finance Management Act regulations.

Waithaka’s government also failed to seek approval of the Public Partnership Committee before signing the contract. Haji also recommended the arrest and prosecution of owners of Tahal Consulting Engineers and other two companies Chen Yochanan Ofer and Albert Attias for fraudulently acquiring public property.

The three were apprehended on Thursday after surrendering to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission detectives. They denied the charges before Chief Magistrate Josephat Kalo and were released on a sh. 10 million ($10000) each with surety of a similar amount.