The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji has ordered the arrest of former Nyandarua County Governor Daniel Waithaka.
The former county boss and 4 others are facing arrest over their alleged involvement in a fraudulent Ksh50 million water project tender.
According to the DPP, the five have been under investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) since December 2014 when the matter was brought to the authorities.
[caption caption="Former Nyandarua County Governor Daniel Waithaka"]
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The former county officials unlawfully engaged M/S Tahal Consulting Engineers Ltd and paid the Ksh 50,470,513.50 for the development of the County Water Master Plan and the review of Ol Kalou Town Sewerage System.
According to a statement from the DPP, the county did not have a procurement plan in the financial year under probe to cater for the project.
Besides, the officials flouted the relevant Public Procurement Laws when engaging with M/S Tahal Consulting Engineers Ltd and paying out the money in two installments of Ksh 24 million and Ksh 26 million.
The DPP has further pointed out that the officials abused their offices in dealing with the company which was not even registered at the time of the tender awarding.
The other facing arrest include Grace Wanjiru Gitonga (former CEC Water, Energy and Environment), Kihiu Gichinga Gaiko (County officer), John Ngigi Daniel (County officer), and Jesse Wachira Mwangi (Counter officer).
"Upon my perusal and independent consideration of the evidence contained in the inquiry file and there is sufficient evidence to charge the persons as recommended by the EACC," Haji stated.
The DPP also seeks to prosecute M/S Tahal Consulting Engineers Ltd, Chen Yochanan Ofer, and Albert Attias for the fraudulent acquisition of public property.
The governor and the four county officials are accussed of "willfuly failing to comply with the law relating to public procurement" as outlined in the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.
"I have directed the EACC to immediately cause the arrest of the persons named and have them arraigned in court," the DPP's statement concludes.
