Properties linked to former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria are set to go under the hammer later this month after a creditor instructed auctioneers to sell two assets associated with him over an alleged loan default.
A residential property in Nairobi’s Karen suburb and a hospital in Murang’a, both associated with the former governor, have been advertised for public auction on August 25, according to a notice published by Dalali Traders Auctioneers.
The first asset is a 2.9-acre parcel in Milimani, Kiharu, occupied by Edinburgh Mountain Hospital — a facility owned by Wa Iria, according to Business Registration Service records. The freehold property lies roughly 1.5 kilometres from Murang’a town centre, next to Murang’a University College, Edinburgh Medical College and a proposed hotel and sports complex.
The auction notice describes it in detail: “The property is developed with a five-storey hospital building, rest areas, external concrete ramps and staircases.”
The second is a 0.48-acre residential property on Muiri Lane in Karen, registered in Wa Iria’s own name and used to guarantee a facility taken out by Edinburgh College Ltd and Edinburgh Mountain Hospital Ltd.
Located off Langata Road near Galleria Mall, the notice describes the property as follows: “The property is developed with a triple-storey residence nearing completion, an older bungalow used as a guest house, carports and proposed amenities including a swimming pool, entertainment area, gazebo and staff quarters.”
Neither Wa Iria nor the auctioneers responded to questions about the identity of the lender or the size of the outstanding loan.
The auction is separate from an asset recovery case filed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which is seeking to recover Sh542.6 million it alleges was lost through corruption-related activities during Wa Iria’s tenure as governor. Wa Iria has denied the allegations.
Before entering politics, Wa Iria built a career in Kenya’s corporate sector, serving as managing director of New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (New KCC) and holding senior roles at Kenya Breweries, Ngano Feeds, Freshco Seeds and Industrial Promotion Services.
He went on to win the Murang’a governorship in 2013, retained it in 2017, and later served as vice-chairperson of the Council of Governors. After two terms, he made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2022 under his Usawa Kwa Wote party.
Wa Iria now joins a growing list of former governors whose properties have been advertised for auction over loan defaults or court-sanctioned recovery proceedings.
Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has previously had properties advertised for auction over defaulted loans, while assets linked to former Migori Governor Okoth Obado have been sold under court-sanctioned anti-corruption recovery proceedings.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@nairobilawmonthly.com, and to advertise with us, call +254715061658 anytime of the day
