Former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria is facing fresh corruption charges over alleged irregularities in a Ksh351 million media procurement deal involving the county government.
According to reports, the case was brought back before court after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) amended the charges against Wa Iria and six other co-accused.
It included several money-laundering allegations involving funds allegedly obtained from the county government through the arrangement, though Wa Iria and the other accused individuals have denied them.
Prosecutors alleged that a contract with an advertising and media-buying company resulted in the loss of Ksh351,097,491.15 in public funds.
Former Murang’a Governor charged in corruption case
Wa Iria is accused of conspiring to commit a corruption offence in connection with the procurement arrangement between October 2014 and June 2017.
He also faces a conflict-of-interest charge over an alleged private interest in contracts entered into by the county government.
Furthermore, the prosecution claimed that he received Ksh31.8 million linked to the contracts during the period under investigation.
Prosecutors alleged that part of the money was used to acquire property in Nairobi and purchase two houses.
Another transaction cited in the charges involves Ksh600,000 allegedly spent on borehole blasting at a property in Nyeri.
The amended charges mean that 13 prosecution witnesses who had already testified will have to return to court for further examination and cross-examination.
