BY SAM ALFAN.
Former governor Mwangi wa Iria and his associates have been charged with corruptly receiving millions from public coffers when he was the Murang’a county boss.
Wa Iria was charged alongside David Maina Njeri and Solomon Mutura Kimani with several counts including money laundering and conflict of interest after awarding contracts to a private firm for provision of publicity and media services.
The trio appeared before Milimani Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzakyo and denied the charges.
The charge sheet stated that Wa Iria and his co-accused- who are directors of Top Image Media Consultants unlawfully received a total of Sh351 million from the county government for services not offered.
It is alleged that they committed the offence between 21st of October 2014 and 19th June 2017 when they allegedly conspired to unlawfully contract the company to provide media buying services.
The former Governor was separately accused receiving Sh31.8 million from Top Image Media Consultants, an offence he allegedly committed between 20th May 2014 and 19th June 2017.
The trio are further accused that on 27th May 2014 and 20th February 2015 being the governor of Murang’a County, directors of Top Image Media Consultants and value View Limited respectively, they entered into an arrangement for the transfer of Kshs4. 5 million Hemes on account Top Image.
Wa Iria was ordered to deposit bond of Sh20 million or alternative cash bail of Sh10 million to secure his release.
