Former Nyandarua County Governor, Daniel Waithaka Mwangi, has been sentenced to two years in prison or a fine of Ksh1 million after being found guilty of procurement irregularities.
The verdict was delivered at the Nyahururu Anti-Corruption Courts, where Waithaka was sentenced alongside Grace Wanjiru Gitonga, the former County Executive Committee Member for Water, Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources.
Waithaka faces two years in prison or a Ksh 500,000 fine for willfully failing to comply with procurement laws and another two years or a Ksh 500,000 fine for abuse of office.
Chief Magistrate Hezekiah Keago ruled that the sentences would run concurrently if Waithaka fails to pay the imposed fine. Gitonga, on her part, was sentenced to two years or a Ksh 500,000 fine for engaging in a project without prior planning.
She was also given another two-year sentence or a Ksh 500,000 fine for willfully failing to comply with procurement laws. Like Waithaka, Gitonga’s sentences will run concurrently if the fine is not paid.
The court heard that on April 30, 2014, both defendants, in their capacity as public officers responsible for managing public property, violated the Public Procurement and Disposal Act of 2006.
They unlawfully procured the services of M/s TAHAL Consulting Engineers Limited without a procurement plan for the 2013/2014 financial year, contrary to Section 26(3)(a) of the Act.
Additionally, the court found that on or about April 4, 2014, Waithaka improperly used his office to confer a benefit on M/s TAHAL Consulting Engineers Limited.
He awarded the company a contract for the development of the County Water Master Plan and the design review of the Ol Kalou Town Sewerage System without following the required procurement procedures.
The Court will convene on March 24, 2025, for a mention to confirm payment of the fines or to commit the convicts to start their sentences.
Waithaka is the third governor in the past two years to be convicted on graft charges, joining former Samburu County Governor Moses Lenolkulaal and former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu.
