NAIROBI, Kenya — The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has filed a suit at the High Court in Nairobi seeking to recover Sh813 million from Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and 13 others, accusing them of corruption, conflict of interest, and unlawful acquisition of public funds.
According to the anti-graft body, investigations revealed that Wamatangi abused his office between the 2018/2019 and 2021/2022 financial years when he served as Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing, influencing the award of road construction and maintenance tenders to companies linked to him.
EACC claims the governor used his position to improperly benefit himself by influencing tender awards by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA).
“The 1st defendant used his office to improperly confer a benefit to himself and the defendants, in blatant abuse of his position,” reads part of the Amended Plaint filed in court.
The Commission alleges that Wamatangi concealed his ownership in the firms by transferring directorships to close relatives and associates while remaining a signatory to the companies’ bank accounts, making him the ultimate beneficiary.
EACC listed five firms alleged to have received irregular payments from the three road agencies:
- Quick Fix Auto Garage Ltd – Sh18.8 million (KeRRA)
- King Realtors Co. Ltd – Sh16.7 million (KeRRA)
- King Group Co. Ltd – Sh8.5 million (KeRRA) and Sh21.3 million (KURA)
- King Construction Co. Ltd – Sh18.2 million (KeRRA) and Sh420.8 million (KeNHA)
- Lub Plus Oil & Energy Co. Ltd – Sh24.4 million (KeRRA), Sh37.9 million (KURA), and Sh246.5 million (KeNHA)
EACC contends that the payments, totaling Sh813,145,532.40, were proceeds of corruption, obtained through forged bid documents, false declarations of capacity, and fraudulent misrepresentation.
The Commission has since applied for injunction and preservation orders to freeze Wamatangi’s assets, along with those of the 13 co-defendants, pending the determination of the case.
Justice Lucy Njuguna on November 5, 2025, directed that the defendants be served with the pleadings and set November 18, 2025, as the date for hearing the injunction application.
If successful, the case will mark one of the largest asset recovery suits ever filed by the EACC, targeting a sitting county governor accused of self-enrichment through state contracts.
Governor Wamatangi and the co-defendants are expected to file their responses once formally served with the court documents.
