Multi-million tender case linked to Governor Njuki referred to High Court

The Ksh. 34.9million tender case involving Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki and 16 others has been referred to the High Court.

On Monday, a Milimani court referred the case seeking direction on where it should be prosecuted.

The Prosecution had opposed the transfer of the case from Nairobi to Chuka or Kathwana Law courts

According to the prosecuting team, the case was filed in Nairobi on the basis that the offenses were committed in various jurisdictions including in Embu County.

They also argued that the accused persons had not demonstrated with sufficient evidence the prejudice they would suffer if the matter was prosecuted in Nairobi.

In September last year, the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji ordered the arrest and prosecution of Governor Njuki and various county officials over the irregular award of the solid waste project contract.

“The fraud at the County, Government was perpetrated by the county officials at the Procurement Department and Finance Department who disregarded the procurement laws and procedures,” he said.

According to the DPP, Westomaxx Investments Limited, a company that had submitted fraudulent documents, was awarded the tender at a cost of Ksh.34,998,500.

A contract for the supply, installation and commissioning of an incinerator was hence entered into between the Chief Officer Environment, Fridah Muthoni, and Westomaxx Investments Limited.

The contractor was issued with an LPO before the expiry of 14 days following the giving of a notification contrary to the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015.

Westomaxx Investments Limited then installed an incinerator they had procured from Generation Electronic & Allied Company Limited, a company which – as stated by the DPP – is associated with Governor Njuki.

Generation Electronic & Allied Co. Ltd had reportedly imported the generator to Kenya at a cost of Ksh. 3, 879, 945.30.

The audit trail of the monies paid to Westomaxx Investments Limited by the Tharaka Nithi County Government revealed that it was wired to Japhet Gitonga Nyange (Ksh. 8.7 million), Kenneth Mucuiya Ngai (Ksh. 5.2 million), Kenstar Electrical and Hardware Limited (Ksh. 4.7 million) and Caroline Sheila Wimbui (Ksh. 0.985 million).