Former Nyandarua County Governor Daniel Waithaka Mwangi has been convicted of procurement irregularities by the Nyahururu Anti-Corruption Court.

Waithaka, along with former County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Water, Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources, Grace Wanjiru Gitonga, was found guilty of multiple charges related to violations of public procurement laws.

Court Findings: Violation of Procurement Laws

The court ruled that the two officials willfully failed to comply with procurement regulations, engaged in a project without prior planning, and violated the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, 2006.

The prosecution detailed that on April 30, 2014, at the Nyandarua County Government offices, the accused unlawfully procured the services of M/s TAHAL Consulting Engineers Limited without an approved procurement plan for the 2013/2014 financial year. This violated Section 26(3)(a) of the Act, which mandates prior planning for public projects.

Abuse of Office Charges

Additionally, Waithaka was separately convicted of abuse of office. The court found that on or about April 4, 2014, he improperly awarded a contract to M/s TAHAL Consulting Engineers Limited for the development of the County Water Master Plan and the design review of the Ol Kalou Town Sewerage System

This contract was awarded without following the required procurement procedures, effectively conferring an undue benefit to the firm.

Next Steps: Sentencing Set for March 20, 2025

The case is scheduled for mention on March 20, 2025, when mitigation and sentencing will take place.

The prosecution team was led by Mercy Gateru, Maryann Mwangi, Alex Akula, and Wesley Nyamache.

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