Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki and his co-accused will spend a night in police cells pending bail ruling on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Governor Njuki denied 15 counts, among them abuse of office, willful failure to comply with laws and money laundering.
On Monday morning he surrendered himself to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission(EACC) Integrity House headquarters.
The latest came just days after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji ordered his arrest over the irregular award of a Ksh.34M tender.
According to the DPP, Westomaxx Investments Limited, a company that had submitted fraudulent documents, was awarded the tender at a cost of Ksh. 34,998,500.00.
A contract for the supply, installation and commissioning of an incinerator was hence entered into between the Chief Officer Environment, Fridah Muthoni, and Westomaxx Investments Limited and the contractor issued with an LPO before the expiry of 14 days following the giving of a notification contrary to the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015.
Westomaxx Investments Limited then installed an incinerator they had procured from Generation Electronic & Allied Company Limited, a company which – as stated by the DPP – is associated with Governor Njuki.
Generation Electronic & Allied Co. Ltd had reportedly imported the generator to Kenya at a cost of Ksh.3, 879, 945.30.
The fraud at the County, Government was perpetrated by the county officials at the Procurement Department and Finance Department who disregarded the procurement laws and procedures,” said DPP Haji.
The audit trail of the monies paid to Westomaxx Investments Limited by the Tharaka Nithi County Government reportedly revealed that it was wired to; Japhet Gitonga Nyange (Ksh. 8.7 million), Kenneth Mucuiya Ngai (Ksh. 5.2 million), Kenstar Electrical and Hardware Limited (Ksh. 4.7 million), and Caroline Sheila Wimbui (Ksh. 0.985 million) Haji now wants the following individuals arrested and charged with various crimes:
Onesmus Muthomi Njuki – Governor, Tharaka Nithi CountyFridah Muthoni Murungi – Chief Officer Environment and Natural ResourcesFloridah Kiende Nywigah – Acting Director, Procurement
Highton Muriithi Njue – Finance OfficerTeresia Kagoji Mburia – Finance OfficerArch. Lee Mwenda Munene – Department of Roads, Infrastructure and HousingJaphet Mutugi Nkonge – Procurement Officer
