UPDATE: Lari MP Jonah Mburu Mwangi was on Monday, September 7, released on a Ksh2 million cash bail.
Speaking at a Nairobi Court, the legislator denied playing any role in a multi-million fraud case touching on a National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), worth Ksh 27 million.
The embattled MP was barred from accessing the county's CDF offices and ordered to submit his passport to the court pending the mention of the case on October 9.
DPP Noording Haji had listed the legislator alongside his company Pambazuko Distributors Limited, Ayaan Mahadhi, a NG-CDF accounts Manager, Peter Mugo Mwangi CDF Committee Chairperson and proprietor of two firms), and businessman Francis Gachoka Kimuyu as persons of interest in the corruption case.
Lari, Kiambu County MP Jonah Mburu Mwangi and four officials have been arrested following an order by the Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji.
Haji, in a press release issued on Friday, September 4, accused the legislator of abuse of office and embezzlement of public funds.
Mwangi is suspected to have swindled money slated for the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), worth Ksh 27 million.
"Hon Jonah Mburu Mwangi and Lari CDF officials in a conflict of interest received public funds from businesses that traded with Lari NG-CDF," Haji stated,
The four will spend the weekend in jail before being arraigned in court on Monday, September 7.
The suspects will face the following six charges under the Anti-Corruption and Economics Act No.3 of 2003 and Finance Management Act No. 18 of 2012, according to Haji's office.
1. Conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption
2. Conflict of interest
3. Abuse of office
4. Willful failure to comply with the laws relating to procurement
5. Dealing with suspect property
6. Acting without authorisation
The MP joins Malindi legislator Aisha Jumwa and Migori Governor Okoth Obado in proving their innocence after being accused of graft. Jumwa was accused of embezzling Ksh 19 million Community Development Funds (CDF) while Obado reportedly stole Ksh 73,474,360 million through proxies.
The governor is also likely to be impeached after his party, Orange Democratic Movement, directed Migori MCAs to proceed with the motion.
