The fiery former Murang’a governor Mwangi Wa Iria woes have escalated after the High Court granted freezing orders on two properties belonging to his wife, Jane Waigwe Kimani, pending the determination of a suit in which the anti-graft agency is seeking to recover Sh54.6million from the ex-governor believed to have been proceeds of crime.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (Eacc) filed the protracted suit arguing the governor acquired the wealth fraudulently during his tenure.
The two properties located in Nairobi’s Eastlands Umoja and Mweiga in Nyeri County respectively are valued Sh16.3milion.
According to court documents filed by the anti-graft body, in the period between 2013 and 2017, Wa Iria irregularly awarded tenders amounting to over Sh500million to Top Image Media Consultants, a company that he allegedly has close 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. 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.” Documents filed in court reads in part.
Eacc claims that Top Image directly remitted part of the funds to Wa Iria and his wife while adding that Value View Limited, a company belonging to Wa Iria’s wife, also received part of the alleged loot.
Top image also allegedly made a payment of 0.5billion to the Mwangi Wa Iria Foundation, which is co-owned by the governor and his wife.
The commission further avers that the alleged proxy company in question bought the two frozen properties for the then Murang’a county boss’ spouse.
In total, Eaccbelieves that Wa Iria and his wife received over Sh28 million from Top Image Media Consultants.
“The Commission also established that Top Image Media Consultants and its Director also made payments for loans on behalf of the Governor as well as flight expenses and hotel accommodation costs.” Eacc says.
“The Commission also seeks to recover a deposit of Sh9.5million that had been paid to Mlima Kenya Holiday Homes to purchase holiday homes for the Governor’s wife Jane Waigwe Kimani and Jane Wanjiru Mbuthia, Director of Top Image Media Consultants.” The documents shows.
