Sh351 million fraud case: Wa Îria released on Sh20m bond after denying charges

The charges are in relation to Sh351,097,491 spent on advertising by the county government during Wa Iria's first term as governor.

Former Murang'a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria has been granted a bond of Sh20 million after denying fraud charges related to the illegal procurement of media services that cost the county Sh351.1 million between 2014 and 2017.

Wa Iria was charged alongside his brother-in-law Solomon Mutura and businessman David Maina who is the director of Top Image Media, which was allegedly paid the money for media buying services.

The charges are in relation to Sh351,097,491 spent on advertising by the county government during Wa Iria's first term as governor.

The suspects are charged with conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption contrary to section 47 a (3) as read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act of 2001.

Wa Iria is separately charged with conflict of interest where he is accused of acquiring direct private interests between the county and the company that was providing advertising services.

According to the charge, he is accused of receiving Sh31,829,800 from Top Image Media Consultants Limited after it was awarded the deal through his influence.

The three were also charged with money laundering in contravention of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti Money Laundering Act.

They are accused of entering into an agreement to transfer Sh7.5 million towards the purchase of a parcel of land in Umoja estate in Nairobi and Sh4.5 million used for acquiring two residential houses from Mlima Homes with monies unlawfully paid to Top Image Media Limited.

They are also accused of purchasing a 13-acre parcel of land worth Sh3.7 million and sinking a borehole on it at Sh0.6 million, which was illegally paid to the company while disguising the source of the money knowing the same was proceeds of crime.

The suspects denied the charges before Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki of Milimani Anti-Corruption Court and sought to be released on a bond of Sh500,000.

Wa Iria's lawyers led by Azimio coalition co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa insisted that the former governor's prosecution is a political persecution and an attack on democracy.

But the prosecution has dismissed the averments telling the court that the prosecution arises from the investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

The EACC and ODPP say the money was awarded to Top Image Media Consultants Limited for media buying services by the county government in an unlawful contract.

Wa Iria's wife, Jane Kimani, another suspect in the case, didn't appear to take a plea as she is said to have fallen sick earlier Tuesday, according to lawyers Wilfred Nyamu and Ndengwa Njiru.

Wa Îria was released on a bond of Sh20 million with a surety of a similar amount and an alternative cash bail of Sh10 million.

The rest were released on varied bail and bond terms. The suspects were ordered to deposit their passports and seek court clearance before travelling.

The case will be mentioned on May 14.