The DPP through former Murang’a County procurement officer James Kamau Kairu has revealed how a Ksh 543 million tender for media and publicity services was awarded to a company allegedly linked to former Governor Mwangi wa Iria’s wife.
Kairu testified before Milimani Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa, stating that the county government, led by Wa Iria, gave the media advertising tender to Top Image Media Consultancy Limited.
The company’s directors include Jane Waigwe Kimani, wife to the former county governor Wa Iria, and Jane Mbuthi, an alleged associate.
The prosecution claims that the former governor, his wife, and Mbuthi colluded to defraud the Murang’a County Government of millions of shillings by falsely claiming to provide media services via Top Image Consultancy Limited for two years.
The court heard that the county government solely awarded media buying tenders worth Sh 542,610,615.15 out of all companies prequalified between financial years 2013/2014 and 2016/2017
In his testimony, Kairu however defended the procurement process for media buying services under former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria’s tenure.
Kairu indicated that all procedures were followed lawfully and within the regulatory framework while procuring and awarding the tender for media buying services for the fiscal years 2014–2015 and 2015–2016.
The prosecution has accused Wa Iria of improper procurement practices while claiming that public funds were misappropriated.
