By Valentine Omondi
Former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria and eight others have been charged afresh over the alleged irregular award of publicity tenders by the Murang’a County Government.
The accused appeared before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on Tuesday, where they took a fresh plea after the prosecution amended the charge sheet in the KSh351 million tender case.
The charges relate to a media-buying contract worth KSh351 million awarded to Top Image Consultants Limited during the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 financial years. The prosecution alleges that the tender resulted in the unlawful acquisition of public funds.
Those charged alongside Wa Iria are Jane Wanjiru Mbuthia, David Maina Njeri and David Maina Kiama, directors of Top Image Consultants Limited; Jane Waigwe Kimani and Solomon Mutura Kimani, directors of Value View Limited; and Peter Muturi Karanja, who served as the former governor’s personal assistant.
The two companies, Top Image Consultants Limited and Value View Limited, are also accused in the case.
Defence Challenges Amended Charges
The fresh plea followed a defence application challenging changes made to the charge sheet by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The defence argued that the amended charge sheet had been introduced without the necessary leave of the court. The prosecution, however, maintained that it had obtained permission to make the amendments.
The court ruled that the prosecution had obtained leave to amend the charges and admitted the revised charge sheet.
Wa Iria and the other accused were subsequently required to take a fresh plea. They all denied the charges.
They face allegations including conspiracy to commit a corruption offence, unlawful acquisition of public property, conflict of interest, money laundering and dealing with suspected property.
Case Dates Back to Wa Iria’s Governorship
The case stems from investigations into publicity and media-buying contracts awarded during Wa Iria’s tenure as Murang’a governor between 2013 and 2022.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) began investigating allegations surrounding contracts awarded to Top Image Consultants Limited, with investigators questioning how the county government procured and paid for media services.
The matter gained prominence in 2022 when the EACC pursued allegations involving more than KSh500 million in payments linked to the contracts. Investigators alleged that companies connected to individuals close to the former governor benefited from the transactions.
In April 2024, Wa Iria was first arraigned over corruption-related allegations arising from the contracts. He denied the charges and was released on bond as the case proceeded.
The prosecution has previously alleged that Wa Iria benefited from approximately KSh31.8 million linked to Top Image Consultants Limited. The broader allegations have included abuse of office, conspiracy to commit corruption, unlawful acquisition of public property and money laundering.
The former governor has consistently denied wrongdoing.
The court directed that the matter be mentioned virtually on September 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
