Murang'a governor arrested, to be charged with obstructing detectives

Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria is expected to be charged in court on Tuesday, just a day after he was arrested at a hospital in Nairobi and hauled to the anti-graft watchdog's offices, where he was grilled for hours.

The Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) said after his arrest on Monday that the governor would be charged with obstructing detectives on official duty at his home.

The alleged offence happened at his home in Murang’a when the EACC officials were executing a court order to search his house on January 21.

Drama ensued at the Aga Khan Hospital compound on Monday when the detectives pounced on the governor.

One of his bodyguards was injured and later arrested when he attempted to prevent the about 30 anti-corruption detectives from apprehending the county leader.

One of his aides said the governor was arrested just after he came from visiting a patient in one of the wards. "He was with his security detail and as he was preparing to leave, about 30 EACC detectives in plain clothes detained him," said the aide.

The governor was then grilled for hours at the EACC offices in Nairobi, with sources at the anti-graft body in Nairobi revealing that Mr Wa Iria was arrested following an incident in which the governor's aides harassed the commission officers who had raided his home in January this year.

Commission spokesman Yassin Amaro, while confirming the arrest, said Mr Wa Iria would be charged with obstructing anti-corruption officials who were discharging their duties.

OFFER SUPPORT

Soon after news of Mr Wa Iria arrest broke, Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege and several county executives arrived at the anti-graft body’s offices to offer support to him.

Some of his aides and supporters were, however, denied entry and could be seen arguing angrily with police officers and security guards manning the entrance.

At least one aide of the governor has been charged in a Thika court in relation with the January incident. He was charged with obstructing the anti-graft officers.

Kangema MP Tirus Ngahu, an ally of the governor, also arrived at the EACC offices to support the governor.

The EACC officers raided the governor's home in January and took away some documents, which were later snatched from them by the governor's aides.

The officers also raided the homes of some county executives and a consultant. The raid was conducted in the early morning at the governor’s residence in Koorali Estate, off the Gatanga-Thika road.