By Lauryne Akoth
Former Murang’a governor Mwangi Wa Iria’s wife, Jane Waigwe Kimani has been charged in the Kshs 562 M graft Case.
Both Mwangi Wa Iria and his wife were accused of irregularly awarding a tender to a company linked to them known as Top Image Consultants at a cost of Kshs.562 million during the Financial Years 2014/2015 and 2015/2016.
Jane who was serving as the Director of Value View Ltd and her co-accused David Maina Kiama, Director of Top Image Consultants were yet to take a plea in court but were charged today.
Appearing before Milimani Anti-Corruption Magistrate Victor Wakhumile, the accused persons denied all the charges.
They were released on a bond of Kshs 5 million or in the alternative a cash bail of Kshs 1 million.
They were ordered to deposit travel documents with the court and not to leave the country without the court’s permission.
The matter will be mentioned on 14th May 2024.
Earlier this week, Mwangi Wa Iria was released from the Industrial Area Remand Prison.
Appearing before Milimani Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki on Tuesday, 30th April 2024, he pleaded not guilty to various corruption charges.
He was released on a Kshs 20 million bond or in the alternative pay a cash bail of Kshs 10 million.
His brother-in-law Solomon Mutura, and his Personal Assistant Peter Muturi Karanja were also charged in the case.
According to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Mwangi wa Iria and his spouse directly profited from the Kshs.562 million disbursed by the Murangá County Government to Top Image Media Consultants Limited, whose directors include Jane Wanjiru Mbuthia and David Maina Njeri.
Portions of these funds were directed to the Mwangi wa Iria Foundation, while another segment was utilized to settle Wairia’s loan with CFC Stanbic Bank.
Furthermore, Jane Waigwe Kimani (Mwangi wa Iria’s wife) and Solomon Mutura (Jane Waigwe’s brother) serve as directors of Value View Limited, a beneficiary of funds channeled through Top Image Media Consultant.
These funds were used to acquire prime real estate in Nairobi and Mweiga, as well as two-holiday homes in Nanyuki.
Apart from facing criminal charges, the EACC has initiated a civil lawsuit in the High Court to reclaim all misappropriated public funds.