Former Nyandarua County Governor Daniel Waithaka Mwangi and his former County Executive Committee (CEC) member, Grace Wanjiru Gitonga, have been sentenced to two years in prison or a fine of Ksh1 million each after being found guilty of procurement irregularities. The verdict was delivered by Chief Magistrate Hezekiah Keago at the Nyahururu Anti-Corruption Courts.
Waithaka was convicted on two counts: willfully failing to comply with procurement laws and abuse of office. Each charge carries a two-year sentence or a fine of Ksh 500,000. Similarly, Gitonga was sentenced to two years or a Ksh 500,000 fine for engaging in a project without prior planning and another two years or Ksh 500,000 fine for violating procurement laws. The court ruled that the sentences would run concurrently if they failed to pay the fines.
The charges stem from an incident on April 30, 2014, when Waithaka and Gitonga, in their official capacities, violated the Public Procurement and Disposal Act of 2006. They unlawfully procured the services of M/s TAHAL Consulting Engineers Limited without an approved procurement plan for the 2013/2014 financial year. Additionally, on April 4, 2014, Waithaka was found guilty of improperly using his office to confer a benefit on the company by awarding it a contract to develop the County Water Master Plan and redesign the Ol Kalou Town Sewerage System without following procurement procedures.
The court has scheduled a mention on March 24, 2025, to confirm payment of the fines or to commit the convicts to begin their sentences.
Waithaka now joins a growing list of former county bosses convicted on corruption charges. In the past two years, former Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulaal and ex-Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu have also faced convictions for graft. The ruling underscores the judiciary’s efforts to hold public officials accountable for corruption and financial mismanagement.
The sentencing of Waithaka and Gitonga sends a strong message to public officials about the consequences of flouting procurement laws. As Kenya continues its fight against corruption, the case highlights the urgent need for transparency and adherence to legal procurement processes to safeguard public resources.
