NYAHURURU, Kenya – Former Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka Mwangi has been sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of violating procurement laws during his tenure.
Waithaka, who served as the county’s first governor, was convicted alongside Grace Wanjiru Gitonga, his former County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Water, Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources.
The ruling was delivered at the Nyahururu Anti-Corruption Court on Thursday by Chief Magistrate Hezekiah Keago.
The court found that the two officials flouted procurement laws in the awarding of a Sh50 million contract to M/s TAHAL Consulting Engineers Limited without following due process.
The irregular contract involved the development of the County Water Master Plan and the design review of the Ol Kalou Town Sewerage System.
Waithaka was sentenced to two years in jail or a Sh500,000 fine for failing to comply with procurement laws.
He received another two-year sentence or Sh500,000 fine for abuse of office, with the court ruling that the sentences would run concurrently if he opts to pay the fines.
His co-accused, Gitonga, was also sentenced to two years or a Sh500,000 fine for engaging in a project without proper planning and another two years or Sh500,000 for procurement violations.
The case dates back to April 30, 2014, when Waithaka and Gitonga, in their official capacities, unlawfully procured services for the 2013/2014 financial year without an approved procurement plan.
Waithaka’s conviction makes him the third former governor to be found guilty of corruption-related charges in recent years.
He joins former Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal and former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, both of whom were convicted on similar charges.
The ruling is seen as part of ongoing efforts by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to hold former county bosses accountable for financial mismanagement and abuse of office.
Another big win for DPP as ex-Nyandarua Governor jailed for graftFormer Nyandarua County Governor, Daniel Waithaka Mwangi, has been sentenced to two years in prison or a fine of Ksh. 1 million after being found guilty of procurement irregularities.The verdict was delivered at
