Former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria and six others have been charged afresh at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court over an alleged Sh351 million corruption scheme, after the Director of Public Prosecutions amended the original charge sheet against them.
The fresh charges centre on a media-buying contract the Murang’a County Government awarded to Top Image Media Consultants Limited, which prosecutors allege resulted in the loss of Sh351,097,491.15 in public funds.
Wa Iria faces a lead charge of conspiracy to commit corruption, with prosecutors alleging that between October 21, 2014, and June 19, 2017, he and his co-accused conspired to defraud the county government in connection with the contract.
He also faces a separate charge of conflict of interest, with the prosecution alleging that during the same period he knowingly acquired a direct private interest in contracts between the county government and Top Image Media Consultants, and in doing so received Sh31.8 million from the company.
Charged alongside Wa Iria are Jane Wanjiru Mbuthia, David Maina Kiama, David Maina Njeri, Jane Waigwe Kimani, Solomon Mutura Kimani and Peter Muturi Karanja, with Top Image Media Consultants Limited and Value View Limited also named as accused entities.
The amended charge sheet includes several counts of money laundering, alleging that funds traced back to the county government were funnelled through Top Image Media Consultants and used to acquire private assets.
One count alleges that Sh7.5 million was funnelled toward purchasing property in Umoja, Nairobi, in a transaction prosecutors say was structured to disguise the money’s origin.
A further count alleges that Sh4.5 million went toward purchasing two houses through Mlima Kenya Homes, while Sh600,000 was allegedly spent on borehole drilling at a property in Mweiga, Nyeri.
All accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges, brought under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA) and the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA).
The case returns to court after the DPP dropped charges against former Murang’a County Secretary Patrick Mukuria, who had originally been charged alongside Wa Iria and the others, after the court had already heard evidence from 13 prosecution witnesses.
Because the charge sheet was amended following that development, those same 13 witnesses will now need to be recalled to testify again and face further cross-examination in light of the new charges.
Defence lawyers objected to the prosecution’s application to charge their clients afresh, arguing that a great deal of time had already been lost and that the accused persons’ rights had been violated as a result of the delay.
Trial magistrate Harrison Barasa dismissed that objection and directed Wa Iria and his co-accused to take fresh pleas on the amended charges, while allowing their existing bond terms to remain in force. The case has been set for mention on September 17, 2026, for further directions.
Wa Iria has faced scrutiny over his conduct as governor before. In 2024, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions recommended separate charges against him and other former county officials over alleged procurement irregularities and conflict of interest involving a further Sh140 million.
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