Former Nyandarua Governor Waithaka Mwangi and CECM Margaret Wanjiru Gitonga in court yesterday. Photo/Courtesy.
By MTK Correspondent
Former Nyandarua County Governor Daniel Waithaka Mwangi was yesterday sentenced to two years in prison or a fine of KSh1 million after being found guilty of procurement irregularities.
The verdict was delivered at the Nyahururu Anti-Corruption Courts, where Waithaka was sentenced alongside Grace Wanjiru Gitonga, the former County Executive Committee Member for Water, Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources.
Ms Gitonga also received a sentence of two years or a Ksh1 million fine.
Waithaka was sentenced to two years in prison or a Ksh500,000 fine for wilfully failing to comply with procurement laws, and another two years or Ksh500,000 fine for abuse of office.
Chief Magistrate Hezekiah Keago ruled that the sentences would run concurrently if Waithaka fails to pay the imposed fine.
Gitonga, for her part, was sentenced to two years or a Ksh 500,000 fine for engaging in a project without prior planning.
She was also given another two-year sentence or a Ksh500,000 fine for wilfully failing to comply with procurement laws.
Like Waithaka, Gitonga’s sentences will run concurrently if the fine is not paid.
The court heard that on April 30, 2014, the duo, in their capacity as public officers responsible for managing public property, violated the Public Procurement and Disposal Act of 2006.
They unlawfully procured the services of M/s Tahal Consulting Engineers Limited without a procurement plan for the 2013/2014 financial year, contrary to Section 26(3)(a) of the Act.
Additionally, the court found that on or about April 4, 2014, Waithaka improperly used his office to confer a benefit on M/s Tahal Consulting Engineers Limited.
He awarded the company a contract for the development of the County Water Master Plan and the design review of the Ol’Kalou Town Sewerage System without following the required procurement procedures.
Waithaka is the third governor in the past two years to be convicted on graft charges, joining former Samburu County Governor Moses Lenolkulaal and former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu.
Prosecution team in this case was led by Mercy Gateru, Maryanne Mwangi, Alex Akula, and Wesley Nyamache.
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