Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi’s attempt to shield himself from corruption investigations has hit a dead end after the High Court declined to stop the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) from probing alleged tender irregularities involving road agencies.
Justice Chacha Mwita dismissed Wamatangi’s petition seeking to block his arrest and prosecution over corruption allegations linked to Enterprise Resource Planning system tenders allegedly awarded to companies associated with him.
The tenders in question were reportedly issued by three key road agencies: Kenya National Highways Authority, Kenya Urban Roads Authority, and Kenya Rural Roads Authority.
The embattled governor had sought court orders to halt any summons, arrest, or charges against him, arguing that ongoing investigations by EACC violated constitutional provisions regarding how he should be treated as a sitting governor.
He claimed the anti-corruption body had overstepped its mandate and was conducting a “fishing expedition” to harass him.
Suspicious firms
Central to the controversy are five companies – King Group Company, Lub Plus Oil & Energy Co. Ltd, Quick Fix Auto Garage Ltd, King Construction Co. Limited, and King Realfors Ltd – whose Family Bank accounts have been frozen for six months following a court order dated July 9, 2025.
EACC alleges these firms corruptly received payments from the three government agencies between 2017 and 2022 due to procurement irregularities.
Wamatangi vehemently denies ownership of the companies, insisting he is neither a director nor shareholder in any of them.
He accused EACC of misrepresenting facts to the court by initially claiming he owned the companies outright, only to later admit they were merely “associated” with him.
The governor further alleged that EACC, working with the Financial Reporting Centre, had already restricted access to the bank accounts before obtaining proper court orders, which he argued violated due process under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act.
In a dramatic twist, Wamatangi claimed that EACC has launched fresh investigations targeting him, his family members, and close associates, despite not formally closing the initial ERP investigations.
He described this as an inconceivable second series of investigations based on separate facts but still targeting him and his inner circle.
Justice Mwita directed the governor to serve court documents to Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga and EACC, with the case set for mention on July 24 for further directions.
The ruling effectively clears the path for investigators to continue their probe into the multi-million shilling tender scandal that has rocked Kiambu County’s leadership.
The case adds to mounting pressure on county governments over procurement practices, with several governors facing similar corruption investigations across the country.
For Wamatangi, the court’s decision means he must now face the full weight of anti-corruption agencies’ scrutiny without legal protection.
