NAIROBI, Kenya – Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has denied accusations of corruption after a high-profile raid by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on his home and office.
The raid, which took place on Tuesday, is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged embezzlement of public funds linked to a controversial Sh230 million tender awarded under questionable circumstances.
Speaking shortly after his release, Governor Wamatangi claimed that the raid was politically motivated and designed to undermine his leadership, tarnishing his reputation.
He said the raid was part of a broader effort to sabotage his administration and hinder key development projects in Kiambu County.
“I am not afraid. I will not be intimidated,” Wamatangi said, adding that he would continue to stand by the principles of good governance and serve the people of Kiambu.
He claimed that he had received a threatening phone call from a senior officer who warned him that his reputation would be “dirtied.”
Wamatangi also raised concerns over the legitimacy of the court order used for the raid, describing it as fraudulent.
He claimed that the documents presented by the EACC officers were falsified and that they were using the wrong names during the search.
“If I am someone to be sought, I’ll take myself there tomorrow morning,” he said.
It’s just that!! Political intimidation!
The EACC’s operation involved over 50 police officers raiding Wamatangi’s home and office, with an additional 200 officers dispatched to other senior county officials’ offices.
Wamatangi expressed his dissatisfaction with the scale of the operation, claiming that it was disproportionate to the alleged offence and intended to target his officials who were performing well.
The EACC’s investigation is focused on allegations of procurement irregularities, conflict of interest, and abuse of office, specifically regarding a Sh230 million contract for an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
The commission also revealed that it is probing several other county officials suspected of embezzling up to Sh1.5 billion in public funds through irregular procurement processes and fictitious supplies.
Despite the accusations, Wamatangi rejected the allegations, calling the investigation a “smear campaign” designed to undermine his government’s progress.
He reiterated that the people of Kiambu, not the EACC or the police, should decide who governs them.
