The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has filed a lawsuit in the High Court, seeking to recover Ksh813 million from Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and 13 others, for alleged corruption and conflicts of interest relating to the awarding of road construction tenders.
The commission stated that its investigations had revealed that the money had been obtained through irregular payments from the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) between the 2018/19 and 2021/22 financial years.
The EACC claims that Governor Wamatangi abused his position as Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation, and Housing to influence the award of tenders to five companies associated with him.
Additionally, the commission alleges the firms used forged bid documents and falsified technical qualifications to secure lucrative contracts.
“Further investigations established that Hon. Wamatangi, while abusing his position of trust and acting in conflict of interest, colluded with companies linked to him to engage in fraudulent practices by submitting forged and falsified bid documents to unlawfully secure tenders,” EACC said.
At the same time, the five companies reportedly received more than Ksh726 million from KeNHA and KURA and Ksh86 million from KeRRA.
The anti-graft body maintained that the payments were irregular and unlawful and constituted proceeds of corruption.
It also added that the governor concealed his ownership of the companies by transferring directorships to relatives and proxies while continuing to control the bank accounts.
Investigators reportedly found that he remained a signatory to the companies' accounts despite appearing to have relinquished control; this, according to the commission, made him the beneficial owner and main beneficiary of the funds in question.
“Investigations revealed a clear pattern of concealment and abuse of office designed to misappropriate public funds through fraudulent tenders and false declarations.”
Meanwhile, the suit was filed at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, with the governor and the 13 others listed as defendants.
In her directions, Lady Justice Lucy Njuguna scheduled the hearing of the application for November 18, 2025, when the parties are expected to appear for the proceedings session.
