EACC probes money trail involving Njuki’s kindred
Anthony Mwangi and Alvin Mwangi
Details have emerged on how proceeds of a business deal involving the embattled Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, his family members and associates were allegedly shared.
According to the information from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Sh34.9 million from the county coffers was shared among Njuki’s family members and associates.
Flow chart shows how the County Government of Tharaka Nithi contracted Generations Electronics Limited to import an incinerator whose directors are Njuki himself, his wife Margaret Mugweru and David Mbugua, who is said to be the governor’s business associate.
County government then paid Sh34,998,500 to Westomax Investment Limited who supplied the incinerator.
The firm’s directors are Kenneth Mucuia and Caroline Wambui. Document illustrates how the proceeds from the deal were later shared, to among others, close relatives of the governor.
The chart detectives are working on indicates that Japheth Nyange was paid Sh8.6 million, Kenneth Mucuia Sh5.2 million and Kenstar Electrical and Hardware Limited Sh4.7 million.
Others were Wambui, a director of Westmax Investment Ltd who was paid Sh985,000. Sh8.14 million was spent for repayment of a loan and other expenditures.
Gentech Supplies and service was paid Sh200,000. The directors are Freshia Njeri, wife to Mbugua and Allan Gitonga, a nephew to the governor.
A company owned by Njuki’s son, Brian Muthomi, G-Sort Limited was paid Sh2.1 million in unexplained circumstances.
Troubles over
Njuki’s brother-in-law, George Mugweru was paid Sh5.5 million and another Sh9.7 million from Generations Electronics Ltd. The Sh5.5 million was later transferred to the governor.
Meanwhile, Njuki spent his night at the EACC cells waiting to be arraigned in court today to answer charges where he is accused of awarding tenders irregularly.
The embattled governor surrendered on Monday morning and arrived at the commission’s Integrity House headquarters for processing of his charges.
Njuki is in trouble over the award of a tender for a solid waste project, which investigators said was irregularly awarded.
“The governor will be the guest of the State tonight as he waits to be arraigned in court,” EACC Spokesperson Yassin Amaro said.
Amaro further dismissed reports circulated by sources close to Njuki who said the governor was set free and ordered to present himself in court.
On Friday, the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji said he was satisfied with the anti-graft recommendations on his involvement.
“Project was procured, implemented and commissioned without an Environmental Impact Assessment and before being licensed by the National Environment Authority,” DPP Noorsaid in a statement released to newsrooms on Friday evening.
In the Tharaka Nithi investigation, the DPP said there was sufficient evidence to charge Governor Njuki and 16 other suspects, including county officials and suppliers.
DPP said investigators had established that the tender was awarded to a company known as Westomax Investments Limited, that had presented fraudulent documents, yet there were other 6 other firms that qualified for the job.
Those to be arraigned alongside the Governor are Fridah Muthoni Murungi (Chief Officer of Environment and Natural Resources), Floridah Kiende Nyigwah (Acting Director Procurement) and Highton Murithi Njue (Finance Officer).
Other who will be arraigned together with Njuki are; Teresia Kagoji Mburia – Finance Officer, Arch. Lee Mwenda Munene – Department of Roads, Infrastructure and Housing, Japhet Mutugi Nkonge – Procurement Officer, Emily Nkatha Micheni – Procurement Officer, Mike Mwiandi Muriithi – Accountant, Elosy Kariithi Matti – Officer, Kenneth Muguiya Ngai – Director, Westomax Investments Ltd/Kenstar Electricals and Hardware Ltd, Caroline Sheila Wambui among others.
