NYAHURURU, Kenya – Former Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka Mwangi has been convicted of violating procurement laws and mismanaging public funds by irregularly awarding a Sh50 million contract during his tenure.
The Nyahururu Anti-Corruption Court found Waithaka and his former Water, Energy, and Environment County Executive, Grace Wanjiru Gitonga, guilty of multiple charges, including abuse of office and failure to adhere to procurement laws.
The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, is a significant win in Kenya’s ongoing fight against corruption in county governments.
According to prosecutors, the duo awarded a contract to M/s TAHAL Consulting Engineers Limited on April 30, 2014, without following due process.
The Sh50 million deal was meant for the development of the County Water Master Plan and the design review of the Ol Kalou Town Sewerage System.
However, investigators found that procurement procedures were disregarded, and no services were ever rendered.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) unearthed shocking details of the scandal. Their probe revealed that Waithaka and five county officials engaged two representatives from TAHAL without proper documentation or adherence to procurement laws.
Payments were made in two installments—Sh23.8 million for consultations and an additional Sh26.5 million—despite no tangible work being done.
Further inquiries showed that the two supposed TAHAL representatives, Chen Yochanan Ofer and Albert Attias, had been disowned by the company before any payments were processed.
The funds were wired to a bank in Tel Aviv, Israel, after which the individuals vanished.
Attempts to recover the lost funds proved futile due to the absence of a mutual legal assistance agreement between Kenya and Israel.
Additionally, Israel’s foreign policy prevents its citizens from being extradited to face prosecution in foreign jurisdictions.
The prosecution team, led by Mercy Gateru, Maryann Mwangi, Alex Akula, and Wesley Nyamache, presented compelling evidence detailing the procurement breaches that led to the conviction.
FORMER NYANDARUA GOVERNOR DANIEL WAITHAKA MWANGI CONVICTED OF PROCUREMENT IRREGULARITIES Former Nyandarua County Governor Daniel Waithaka Mwangi has been convicted of procurement irregularities. Waithaka was convicted today by Nyahururu Anti-Corruption Court for wilful failure…
The case is part of a broader government crackdown on corruption, with county governments increasingly under scrutiny for financial mismanagement.
In recent years, numerous high-profile officials have been charged with graft-related offenses, highlighting systemic corruption in devolved units.
The sentencing of Waithaka and Gitonga is expected to serve as a warning to other public officials involved in irregular procurement deals.
