KENYA : The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (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.

Despite the misappropriation and favoritism allegations, president Ruto in December 2024, appointed him to a state job.

Former presidential hopeful Peter Kenneth and the former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria were tapped by President William Ruto to lead state corporations.

In a statement shared by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed on Friday, December 20, 2024, Ruto appointed Kenneth as the chairperson of the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) National Standards Council.

Before his appointment, the former Gatanga Member of Parliament, Kenneth, had maintained a low profile away from political discourses.

Mwangi wa Iria on the other hand, was picked to lead the Public Procurement Regulatory Board.

“The appointments within the Executive Office of the President seek to augment the complement of personnel supporting the Head of State and Government in fulfilling the profound mandate vested in the nation’s foremost office,” the notice read in part.

“These appointments have been made based on the recommendations of the Public Service Commission and in line with the laws governing each public office, as applicable,” it added.

The Appointment of Mwangi Wa Iria and others who have been charged for graft in the past, has raised concern over the Credibility of Ruto's administration.