The High Court on Monday, September 30 dismissed former Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria’s petition seeking among other prayers, to challenge the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decision to have him and others charged in the Anti-Corruption’s court.

The Prosecution team comprising Ms. Keli, Mr. Panyako, Mr. Momanyi, Mr. Walusala and Mr. Mwasaru had opposed the former governor’s petition and filed detailed submissions.

Justice P.J Otieno, of Nairobi’s Anti-Corruption & Economic Crimes Division, heard from both the parties and delivered a ruling. In his ruling, Justice Otieno stated that the court cannot interfere with the powers of the DPP as provided for under Article 157 of the Constitution.

The court further stated that the issues raised by the Petitioners are matters that should be handled by the trial court. The court went on to dismiss the said petition with costs.

Wa Iria with nine others are accused of unlawfully contracting the media services by Top Image Media Consultant Limited amounting to over Kes543million. The case will be mentioned on 3rd October 2024.

The former governor was on April 30, 2024 released on KSh10 million cash bail in the KSh351 million graft case.

This was after Wa Iria, his wife Jane Waigwe Kimani and other co-accused persons pleaded not guilty to nine counts of corruption, abuse of office, and money laundering. 

Meanwhile, conservatory orders that the former governor, his wife and his brother-in-law, had obtained from Murangá High Court were vacated on April 26, 2024 by Justice James Wakiaga of Murang’a High Court and the file referred to Nairobi High Court Division on Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes for further directions. 

This was after EACC received a report that Murang’a County Government irregularly awarded tenders for media and publicity to a Company known as Top Image Consultants at a cost of KSh562,000,000 during the FY 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. 

The directors of these companies are Jane Wanjiru Mbuthia and David Maina Njeri who were close associates of former Murangá Governor, Mwangi Wa Iria.

Upon completion of investigations, the inquiry file was forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution who on 13th April, 2024 recommended the prosecution of Wa Iria and others involved in the graft deal.

The accused included Mwangi Wa Iria, Patrick Kagumo Mukuria (Former County Secretary & Current County Commissioner, Kisii), Jane Waigwe Kimani (Wife to the Former Governor and Director, Value  View Ltd), Peter Muturi Karanja (Personal Assistant to the Former Governor), Jane Wanjiru Mbuthia (Director, Top Image Media Consultants Ltd), David Maina Kiama (Director, Top Image Media Consultants Ltd), David Maina Njeri (Director, Top Image Media Consultants Ltd), and Solomon Mutura Kimani.