Three Kiambu County officials arrested, Governor Waititu, wife still at large

Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have arrested three people in connection to the alleged embezzlement of Ksh.588million public funds in Kiambu County.

The three; Charles Chege Mbuthia-Director Testimony Enterprises Ltd, Joyce Ng’ina Musyoka-Evaluation Committee member, Kiambu County and Simon Kabocho Kang’ethe -Evaluation Committee member, Kiambu County, are currently held at the EACC police cells.

This comes just hours after the Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji ordered the arrest of Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, his wife Susan Wangari and 11 other suspects linked to irregular procurement for upgrading several roads in Kiambu County.

In a statement to newsrooms, EACC further indicated that other wanted suspects among them Governor Waititu and his wife are yet to be found and directed them to present themselves at EACC headquarters at Integrity Centre, Nairobi County.

“ … The other suspects including Governor Ferdinand Waititu Babayao , his wife Susan Wangari Ndugu, Eng. Luka Mwangi Waihenya- Chief Officer Roads and other County officials were not traced at their known residences at the time of the planned arrests,” read the statement in part.

Other officials that the anti-graft agency has launched a manhunt for include:

• Zacharia Njenga Mbugua (Evaluation Committee member, Kiambu County)
• Anselm Gachukia Wanjiku (Evaluation Committee member, Kiambu County)
• Samuel Muigai Mugo (Evaluation Committee member, Kiambu County)
• Beth Wangeci Mburu (Director Testimony Enterprises Ltd)

Waititu and his co-accused are to be charged with conflict of interest, dealing with suspect property, abuse of office, willful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement and engaging in fraudulent practice.

Other charges to be preferred against them include fraudulent acquisition of public property and money laundering.