Five more suspects summoned in Ksh.540M graft case involving ex-Governor Mwangi Wa Iria

According to the office of the DPP, the five Patrick Kagumo Mukuria, Jane Wanjiru Mbuthia, David Maina Kiama, David Maina Njeri, Peter Muturi Karanja and two companies; Top Image Media Consultants and Value View Limited are required to appear in court on April 29, 2024 for plea taking and other directions. 

The suspects are jointly charged with the former Murang'a County governor Mwangi wa Iria, his wife and brother-in-law.

They are alleged to have been involved in various corruption and economic crimes touching on abuse of office, unlawful acquisition of public property, conflict of interest, money laundering among others.

According to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), in the period between 2013 and 2017, the then Governor Wa Iria irregularly awarded tenders amounting to over Ksh.500 million to Top Image Media Consultants, a company that he allegedly has links to.

"Top Image Media Consultants had been solely awarded media buying tenders worth Ksh.542,610,615 out of all companies prequalified between financial years 2013/2014 and 2016/2017," reads court documents.

"The investigation revealed that the Director of Top Image Media Consultants Limited, Jane Wanjiru Mbuthia, was a close associate of the Governor of Murangá County. Consequently, the Governor and his wife benefitted directly from the contract amounts paid to Top Image Media Consultants Limited."