Over Sh12 million recovered during EACC operation at Wamatangi's home

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has seized Sh12 million and USD 13,000 (Sh1.6 million) in cash from the home of Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, in what it says is a major breakthrough in a corruption probe involving over Sh1.5 billion in suspected fictitious payments and irregular procurement.

The search was part of an early morning operation on Tuesday, targeting nine individuals linked to the County Government of Kiambu.

These include top county officials and business associates suspected to be involved in a scheme that saw public funds paid out through questionable procurement processes and false supplies.

"This operation has led to the recovery of key evidence. This includes Sh12 million and USD 13,000 in cash recovered from Governor Wamatangi’s residence. The money is suspected to be proceeds of corruption," EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud said in a statement.

Others under investigation are Peter Njoroge Ndegwa (County Secretary), Nancy Njeri Kirumba (Finance CEC), Salome Muthoni Wainaina (Lands and Housing CEC), William Kinyanji Kimani (Chief Officer Finance), Phyllis Wanjiru Muiruri (Director of Supply Chain), Henry Mburu Waweru (Director of Revenue), Paul Kibe Wangari (Clerical Officer), and Bernard Kabaiku Theuri, Director of M/s Filtronic International Limited.

The EACC said it had obtained court orders to search the homes and offices of all nine individuals as it continues investigations into what it termed as large-scale abuse of office and financial misconduct.

At the centre of the investigation is a contract awarded during the 2022/2023 financial year to M/s Filtronic International Limited.

The contract, worth Sh230 million, was for the supply, delivery, installation, testing, training, commissioning, and support of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

The EACC believes that the deal was marred by procurement violations, conflict of interest, and manipulation of the tendering process.

It also alleges that officials personally benefited from the payments and may have had direct or indirect stakes in the company awarded the contract.

In addition to the ERP contract, investigators are looking into payments amounting to Sh1.5 billion that were allegedly made through irregular procurement processes.

According to the EACC, these payments were for goods and services that may never have been delivered or were priced highly above market rates.

"There are allegations that county officials engaged in trading with the county and received these payments in violation of procurement and public finance laws," Mohamud said.

Filtronic International Limited, which received the ERP contract, is also being scrutinised for its role in the alleged scheme. The director of the firm, Bernard Kabaiku Theuri, is among those whose property was searched.

The EACC says it is treating the recovered money and documents as vital evidence that will help build its case.

"These materials will support the ongoing investigations. We are working to establish the link between the seized cash and the suspected corrupt transactions," the Commission added.

Officials say the investigation will continue until all facts are established.

The outcomes may lead to criminal charges, recovery of assets, and forfeiture of funds deemed to have been acquired unlawfully.

“Once the investigations are complete, we will take appropriate action, including prosecution of those found responsible, recovery of public assets, and seizure of property obtained through corruption,” Mohamud stated.

The EACC has pledged to remain firm in its efforts to hold public officers accountable and ensure that taxpayers’ money is protected from misuse.