Wa Iria to spend night in remand after failing to raise bail

He failed to raise Sh20m bond or alternative Sh10m cash bail to secure his freedom.

In Summary
  • Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki released Wa Iria on a bond of Sh20 million and an alternative cash bail of Sh10 million in a Sh351 million graft case.
  • He denied irregularily awarding contracts to Top Image Media Consultants Limited worth Sh351 million.
Former Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria is escarted by a police officer at court precincts on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
Former Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria is escarted by a police officer at court precincts on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
Image: EACC

Former Murangá Governor Mwangi wa Iria has been remanded at Industrial Area Prison in Nairobi after he failed to raise bail.

Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki released Wa Iria on a bond of Sh20 million and an alternative cash bail of Sh10 million in a Sh351 million graft case facing him and two others.

Wa Iria pleaded not guilty to the charges. 

He denied irregularily awarding contracts to Top Image Media Consultants Limited worth Sh351 million.

Charges facing the former governor include abuse of office, conflict of interest, unlawful acquisition of public property and money laundering.

His co-accused, David Njeri and Solomon Kimani, were released on a bond of Sh5 million and Sh7 million respectively.

They were also given the alternative of depositing Sh1 million and Sh4 million cash bail.

The charges relate to tenders for media and publicity during the Financial Years 2014-15 and 2015-16.

The tenders were allegedly, irregularly, awarded to a company linked to them, court heard.

Directors of the company are said to be close associates of the former governor.

EACC has since filed a civil suit in the High Court in Nairobi to recover all public funds believed to have been lost.

Wa Iria has denied all the charges.

On Monday, Wa Iria was presented before Justice Nixon Sifuna of Milimani Anti-Corruption High Court who declined to extend orders suspending his prosecution and ordered him and his co-accused to surrender to EACC for processing ahead of plea-taking on Tuesday.

A High Court in Murang'a had previoulsy issued temporary orders stopping their charging in court.

But the orders were vacated by Justice James Wakiaga who subsequently transferred the matter to Nairobi's Anti-Corruption Court for further directions.

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