Graft commission summons Wa Iria over obstruction

Murang'a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria addresses journalists at his home in Koorali Estate on January 21, 2016 after it was ransacked by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officers. Mr Wa Iria has been summoned over scenes that erupted when the investigators went to his home as part of investigations into possible economic crimes in the county. PHOTO | JAMES EKWAM | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • EACC CEO Halakhe Waqo said the investigation involved questionable transactions involving billions of shillings, abuse of office, nepotism and conflict of interest.
  • Mr Mubea added that part of the inquiry pointed to abuse of office as relatives of top county officials hogged lucrative offers, including two such companies paid Sh1.5 billion.
  • He linked the EACC investigation to a “well-choreographed narrative to taint my image and intimidate me by targeting my parents and children”.

Embattled Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria and several of his supporters have been summoned by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in Nairobi on Monday over a recent confrontation with investigators.   

Sources told the Sunday Nation that the appearance of Mr Wa Iria and others involved in the incident could pave the way for charges.  

Mr Wa Iria has been summoned over scenes that erupted when investigators went to his homes, those of his associates and senior county officials as part of investigations into possible economic crimes in the county.

On Saturday, EACC Chief Executive Officer Halakhe Waqo and his deputy Michael Mubea said the investigation involved questionable transactions involving billions of shillings, abuse of office, nepotism and conflict of interest.

“We were not there pursuing any political interests. We are guided by the tenets of what has been laid down by the law,” said Mr Waqo.

Mr Mubea added that part of the inquiry pointed to abuse of office as relatives of top county officials hogged lucrative offers, including two such companies paid Sh1.5 billion.

“These are the matters that our investigators were pursuing,” he said.

Mr Wa Iria has bitterly contested the investigation and the dawn raid on his homes and those of his associates two weeks ago, calling it political witch-hunt.

“As a law-abiding citizen, and in order to avoid any confrontation, my family and I gave them free access and they started combing every corner without disclosing their mission or reason,” said Mr Wa Iria after the incident.

OBSTRUCTIONCHARGES
He added in a newspaper advertisement: “They ransacked beds, toilets, closets, kitchen, including children’s rooms and school bags. They then proceeded to confiscate my personal and official documents including academic certificates, transcripts and testimonials, telephones, laptops, CCTV recorder; in addition they took away my Sh20,000. Despite my insistence, the officers refused to declare or inventorise these and whatever other items they carried away.”

But Mr Waqo said EACC did not go to people’s premises unless they had valid suspicions arising from reports, public complaints and other sources.

“We have to pursue this information so that we can confirm whether we have credible evidence to sustain a case in court. In this instance, we were in the premises to search for useful information in investigation into mismanagement and mishandling of county finances. We are investigating favouritism in procurement where relatives and friends are the main suppliers and are the main drivers of procurement,” he explained.

He said the confrontation between the EACC investigators and the governor’s supporters had “opened new frontiers of investigation”, warning that anyone who obstructed a commission official from conducting lawful duty risked a fine of up to Sh5 million or a jail term of up to five years.

“It’s very dangerous for people to take his (Wa Iria) route. All leaders are governed by the Constitution. Every time we receive reports, we will investigate. We will not remain helpless. They will all be arraigned in court,” said Mr Waqo.

Mr Wa Iria was in the news late last year when he survived an impeachment motion initiated by the Murang’a County Assembly after the bid failed at the Senate.

POLITICALLY MOTIVATED

He linked the EACC investigation to a “well-choreographed narrative to taint my image and intimidate me by targeting my parents and children”.

Mr Iria also questioned the validity of the warrant the officers had.

This came as the commission said that there were active investigations in all the 47 counties and asked citizens to stay alert to watch over public resources.

“It’s high time all of us came together to fight corruption and to obey the law when called upon to do so. When your county receives billions, ask yourself what it has done for you. What is there to show for the billions?” said Mr Waqo.

The EACC chief executive added that they would continue to freeze assets and bank accounts belonging to corruption suspects to avoid “the same resources being used to fight the commission and handicapping the fight by the commission.”