EACC Detectives Raid Governor Wamatangi's Office and Residence Over Graft Allegations

A section of the EACC headquarters, Integrity Centre in Nairobi County

On Tuesday, April 15, detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) raided the office and residence of Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi. The operation also targeted the premises of nine other senior county officials over allegations of embezzlement of public funds and conflict of interest.

The 10 officials have been under investigation for suspected financial mismanagement in the county. Pressure from political leaders in Kiambu has mounted in recent months, urging probes into the governor, who succeeded former Governor Ferdinand Waititu—currently serving a prison sentence for a Ksh588 million graft case.

In February 2024, Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thang'wa accused Governor Wamatangi of reverting from an automated to a manual payroll system. He claimed this shift enabled fraudulent payments to ghost workers, leading to the theft of Ksh390 million.

Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi gestures during a meeting with Gatuanyaga Residents Association.

 

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Kimani Wamatangi

"The reversion to a manual payroll system, under the guise of technical issues, has created the perfect environment for theft," Thang’wa said on February 27, 2024. He also alleged that 15 county officers had illegally acquired over Ksh500 million and that over 200 unqualified individuals were unlawfully contracted by the county.

Thang’wa called on the EACC to act swiftly and bring those responsible to justice.

Similar concerns were raised earlier on November 27, 2024, by Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah and Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a. Citing an Auditor General’s report highlighting irregularities in the county’s finances, MP Ng’ang’a accused the governor of embezzlement, while Ichung’wah called on the EACC and DCI to launch thorough investigations.

“I want the DCI and EACC to read the Auditor General's report and investigate what happened,” Ichung’wah stated. “Whether you are an MCA or a governor, your days are numbered. In Kiambu County, those days have come.”