Petition Filed to Halt Harassment of Kiambu Governor Over Graft Probe
The petitioner who is a registered voter from Limuru Constituency is alleging that the respondents has been harassing the governor for political reasons.
A petition has been filed in court seeking to block the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) from arresting or harassing the Kiambu County governor Kimani Wamatangi.
The petition that was filed under a certificate of urgency prayed the court’s intervention to stop the harassment citing that the rights of the people of Kiambu in terms of development bestowed by the constitution will be prejudiced if the orders were not granted.
The petitioner who is a registered voter from Limuru Constituency alleges that the respondents have been harassing the governor for political reasons.
Kimani states that the political bloggers have been informing the members of the public through various political platforms WhatsApp groups like Uteti wa Limuru, Uteti wa Kiambu, Limuru Sub-county Politics, Limuru Trending as well as Limuru Notice Board Facebook,
‘The courage of political bloggers is a very clear indication the matter is purely a political witch hunt to overthrow the leadership of Governor Paul Kimani Wamatangi and replace the same with his deputy governor Rosemary Njeri Kirika unconstitutionally and through the backdoor.’ Kimani stated in the affidavit.
The bloggers have been actively passing very important information demonstrating that they are close associates of his political opponents while disclosing the hidden plans to ouster Governor Kimani Wamatangi from his leadership.
He further states that political enemies of the governor are determined to abuse the state agencies’ machinery to incriminate him with corruption, and offenses to be prosecuted and barred from working and accessing his office to serve the great people of Kiambu County.
He states that the orders for suspension of the harassment against the governor are vital while pending the petition to be heard and determined.
“The Respondents will not be prejudiced in any way if the orders sought herein are granted,” the affidavit stated.
On the morning of April 15, 2025, EACC detectives raided the residential home of the governor and escorted him to Nairobi in their offices at Integrity House where he recorded the statement.
The crackdown follows a lengthy investigation into alleged financial malpractice in the county government.
High-ranking officials under investigation include County Secretary Peter Njoroge Ndegwa, Finance CEC Nancy Njeri Kirumba, Lands CEC Salome Muthoni Wainaina, and Chief Officer of Finance William Kinyanjui Kimani.
According to the EACC, authorities are investigating two key transactions: a Ksh. 230 million contract awarded to Filtronic International for an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, and a series of suspicious payments allegedly made for non-existent services.
Preliminary findings indicate that procurement rules were violated in both cases, with county officials allegedly conspiring with private entities to divert taxpayer funds.
In determination, Justice Chepkwony allowed the application and ordered the same be served to the respondents and the response be made within seven days.
The application will be heard inter-parte on May 22, 2025.
