DPP sends Kiambu graft files back to EACC over “weak evidence”

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has sent back two high-profile corruption inquiry files from Kiambu County to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), citing critical evidentiary gaps that must be addressed before prosecutions can proceed.

The first file involves a Ksh. 230 million procurement scandal over the award of a tender for an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system during the 2022/2023 financial year. Investigations had recommended charges against senior Kiambu County officials and directors of Filtronic International Limited, the company at the centre of the deal. The EACC accused them of flouting procurement laws, abusing office, fraudulent practices, and acquiring public property unlawfully.

Those implicated include senior Kiambu County staff such as Chief Officer Zachariah Karanja Gitau, Acting Director of Supply Chain Management Phyllis Wanjiru Muiruri, CEC for Finance Nancy Njeri Kirumbi, members of the tender evaluation committee, as well as directors of Filtronic International Limited.

However, after reviewing the file submitted on July 24, 2025, the ODPP concluded that key pieces of evidence were missing to support a strong prosecution case. The file was therefore returned to the EACC for further investigations before any arraignments can take place.

The second file, also submitted on July 24, 2025, concerns alleged conflict of interest in road construction tenders linked to former Kiambu Governor Paul Kimani Wamatangi during his tenure as Senate Committee Chair on Roads and later as County boss. Companies associated with him and close family members were flagged for benefiting from lucrative tenders between 2018 and 2022.

EACC had recommended charges against Wamatangi, his spouse, sister and associates, including conflict of interest, unlawful acquisition of public property, and dealing in proceeds of crime. Yet here too, the ODPP pointed out crucial evidentiary gaps, directing the anti-graft agency to dig deeper before bringing the suspects to court.

The dual inquiries represent some of the biggest corruption investigations in Kiambu in recent years. While the EACC has proposed sweeping charges against officials, businesspeople and political figures, the ODPP’s insistence on watertight evidence underscores its bid to strengthen accountability processes and avoid collapsing cases in court.

The outcome of the further investigations is expected to shape not only the fate of the individuals named, but also the credibility of Kenya’s fight against corruption in county governments.