Last-Minute Decision That Saved Mwangi Wa Iria From Arrest In Ksh140M Case
The EACC officers had allegedly planned to arrest him in Mumias where he was attending a function with other Azimio leaders, only for Wa Iria to learn of the plans.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Former Murang'a Governor, Mwangi Wa Iria, made a last-ditch move that saw him dodge a trap laid by police who intended to arrest him on Sunday, April 14 in connection with procurement irregularities amounting to Ksh140 million.
Reports indicate that detectives drawn from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had planned to nab him hours after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) planned to charge him and seven former county officials linked to the procurement fraud between 2015 and 2016.
The EACC officers had allegedly planned to arrest him in Mumias where he was attending a function with other Azimio leaders, only for Wa Iria to learn of the plans.
Former Murang'a Governor, Mwangi Wa Iria. /CITIZEN DIGITAL
With this alleged intelligence, the former governor failed to disembark from the chopper, thus avoiding arrest which could have forced him to spend a night in custody.
Former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa confirmed the plans to arrest Wa Iria, accusing the government of targeting Azimio principals.
"Today we are seeing the government resorting to threats. Our friend, the first Governor of Murang'a, Mwangi wa Iria, wanted to come here to Vihiga to pray with the Christians of PAG, but we received information that they wanted to arrest Mwangi wa Iria," Wamalwa stated.
Wiper Party Leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, shared similar sentiments while coming to the aid of Wa Iria as well as former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya after EACC together with ODPP recommended charges against the Azimio principals.
“We shall stand with our brother Mwangi Wa Iria come rain come sunshine. You cannot weaponize the war against corruption,” Kalonzo stated, adding that the government was resorting to using investigative offices to rein in the opposition.
According to Kalonzo, ODPP and EACC should also investigate government officials if they are serious about dealing with corruption, stating “The real criminals and corrupt people are known and are out there. Go for them."
Kalonzo added that it was bizarre to see Mwangi wa Iria being prosecuted while there were people with criminal cases serving in the current administration.
DPP Renson Ingonga recommended that Wa Iria and the seven be charged with a conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption in contravention of section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, Abuse of office contrary to section 46 as read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, and Unlawful acquisition of public property against section 45 (1) (a) as read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.
“This follows an investigation by EACC on procurement irregularities and conflict of interest in the award of publicity tenders by the County Government of Murang'a to M/S Top Image Media Consultancy Ltd in the Financial Year 2014/2015 and 2015/2016,” explained the ODPP.
“The eight were found to have engaged in procurement irregularities in the award of publicity tenders to Top Image Media Consultants Limited and Value View Limited."
