Ex-Murang'a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria denies fraud charges

From left: Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje, and Azimio principals Wycliffe Oparanya and Mwangi wa Iria at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on April 30, 2024. (Photo: Joseph Ndunda)

By Joseph Ndunda
Apr 30, 2024 | 01:45 PM

His lawyers led by Azimio coalition co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa insisted that wa Iria's prosecution is an attack on democracy.

Former Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria has denied fraud charges related to the illegal procurement of media services that cost the county Sh351. 1 million between 2014 and 2017.

Wa Iria is currently at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court with his two accomplices and he has termed the charges against him as political persecution.

His lawyers led by Azimio coalition co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa insisted that wa Iria's prosecution is 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).

Wa Iria is 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.

The charges are in relation to Sh351,097,491 spent for advertising by the county government between 2014 and 2017.

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.

The other suspects, Patrick Mukuria and David Maina have also denied the charges.

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

The court is set to rule on his bail application on Tuesday afternoon.