Former Murang’a county governor Mwangi wa Iria has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the public of Sh 351 million.
Wa Iria was charged alongside David Maina Njeri and Solomon Mutura Kimani who were the directors of a media consultant farm which allegedly acquired irregulary Sh 351,097,491.15 claiming that the said media company had offered services to the county.
The alleged offence against David Maina Njeri against Top Image Media Consultant Limited was committed on diverse dates between October 21, 2014, and June 19, 2017.
Wa Iria faced counts of conflict of interest and money laundering.
He was accused of acquiring a direct private interest in a private contract between Top Image Media Consultant Limited and the county government of Murang’a.
Anti-corruption Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki heard that Was Iria received Sh 31,829,800 from Top Image Irregular.
In the money laundering charge, Wa Iria alongside Top Image directors entered into an arrangement for the transfer of Sh 7.5 million for the purchase of plot No Nairobi/block 83/14/309 at Umoja Innercore.
The three are also facing another charge of money laundering towards the purchase of two houses (Batian 4 and Nellion 88) through Mt Kenya.
The prosecution claims the said money was paid from the county government of Murang’a ta o Top Image Media as a disguise to the source of the said money.
Wa Iria was further charged with acquiring Sh 600,000 for borehole blasting on account of money paid irregularly by the county government in December 2015.
The court further heard that Was Iria who was also a director of Top Image and Value View Limited transferred Sh 3 million irregularly.
The former governor was also accused of spending Sh 3.7 million county money to purchase 13 acres of land in Mueiga.
On his part, Wa Iria denied the charges claiming to be politically persecuted,
“I am not guilty I don’t own that parcel of land and I am being political targeted,” said Wa Iria.
Applying for the release on bond Azimio Leader Kalonzo Musyoka urged the court to uphold the principle of fidelity to the constitution.
He also urged Nzioki to take judicial notice that Was Iria is not only the immediate former governor of Murang’a but also the leader of the USAWA political party which is a constituent member of AZIMIO la Umoja one Kenya,
“Any aggression to a member of a coalition be it Kenya Kwanza or Azimio interferes with the multi party democracy principles,” he submitted.
The Wiper Party leader urged the magistrate to observe the stuck truth that Wa Iria is being dragged to court 10 years later after the alleged offence committed.
He said as a result of the societal association of the political formations, former CS defence Cum layer Eugene Wamalwa, deputy ODM leader who is also immediate former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya and senator Daniel Maanzo showed up in court to give emotional support to Wa Iria.
They urged the. court to release them on reasonable terms.
The prosecution did not oppose their release on bond.
In his ruling, the magistrate considered the three as not flight risk and released Wa Iria with a bond of 20 million with one surety of the same amount or alternative cash bail of Sh 10 million with two contact persons.
On his part, David Maina Njeri was granted a bond of Sh 5 million with a surety of the same amount and alternative cash bail of Sh 1 million with two contact persons.
Solomon Mutura Kimani granted a bond of Sh 7 million and a surety of a similar amount or cash bail of Sh 4 million.
The court further added that the three accused persons to deposit their travel documents in court,
“I hereby order the accused persons to deposit their travel documents in court immediately,” ordered Nzioki.