Ex-Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka Mwangi arraigned

Former Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka Mwangi and two others appeared before a Nyahururu Court accused of abuse of office and corruption.

Mwangi, Grace Gitonga (former County Executive Member) and Gichinga Gaiko (County Chief Officer) could however not take plea.

“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,” the charge sheet reads.

Mr Waithaka and Ms Gitonga will also be charged with engaging in a project without prior planning, contrary to procurement laws.

Former Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka Mwangi also faces a charge of abuse of office, contrary to section 46 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.

Resident Magistrate James Wanyanga said the court does not have jurisdiction to hear the matter.

The magistrate then directed that they be transferred to Nakuru, a decision that State Counsel Assa Nyakundi, one of the lawyers representing the accused, did not object.

Former Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka Mwangi was arrested in Nyeri on Thursday.

He is accused of being involved in a fraudulent Ksh.50million tender alongside his ‘accomplices’.

Two other accused persons Daniel Ngigi and Jesse Wachira Mwangi did not appear before the court.

Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission are still pursuing the duo.

The EACC is also on the hunt for owners of three companies —M/S Tahal Consulting Engineers Ltd, Chen Yochanan Ofer and Albert Attias.

They are linked to the former Governor’s case as they are suspected to have fraudulently acquired public property.

Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji said investigations showed that Daniel Waithaka Mwangi flouted procurement laws and regulations.

He awarded the contract to M/S Tahal Consulting Engineers Ltd in December 2014 with disregard to the law, the DPP said.

The company, which was to redesign the Ol Kalou Town sewerage system, was reportedly irregularly paid Ksh.50,470,513.

Investigations revealed that during the financial year 2013/2014, Nyandarua County Government neither had a procurement plan nor funds for the project.