Former Nyandarua Governor Sentenced To Prison Alongside His Minister

Former Nyandarua 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 Court on Thursday, March 20, where Waithaka was sentenced alongside Grace Wanjiru Gitonga, the former County Executive Committee Member for Water, Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources. Gitonga received a similar sentence of two years or a Ksh1 million fine.

According to a statement from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP), Waithaka was handed a two-year sentence or a Ksh500,000 fine for wilfully failing to comply with procurement laws and another two-year sentence or a Ksh500,000 fine for abuse of office.

"Chief Magistrate Hezekiah Keago ruled that the sentences would run concurrently if Waithaka fails to pay the imposed fine," the statement read in part.

Former Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka. /FILE

Similarly, Gitonga was sentenced to two years or a Ksh500,000 fine for engaging in a project without prior planning and another two years or a Ksh500,000 fine for wilfully failing to comply with procurement laws. Her sentences will also run concurrently if the fine is unpaid.

The court established that on April 30, 2014, Waithaka and Gitonga, as public officers responsible for managing public resources, violated the Public Procurement and Disposal Act (2006). They illegally procured services from M/s TAHAL Consulting Engineers Limited without a procurement plan for the 2013/2014 financial year, contravening Section 26(3)(a) of the Act.

Furthermore, the court found that on or about April 4, 2014, Waithaka abused his office by improperly awarding M/s TAHAL Consulting Engineers Limited a contract to develop the County Water Master Plan and review the Ol Kalou Town Sewerage System design without following due procurement procedures.

The case was prosecuted by Mercy Gateru, Maryanne Mwangi, Alex Akula, and Wesley Nyamache. Waithaka now joins the growing list of former governors convicted on graft charges, following in the footsteps of ex-Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulaal and former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu.

Last month, Waititu was handed a 12-year prison sentence or an alternative fine of Ksh 53.5 million after being found guilty of irregular tender awards. 

In addition, he received a five-year jail term or a Ksh 2.5 million fine, along with a mandatory fine of Ksh 51 million.