EACC sues Governor Wamatangi, 13 others to recover Ksh.813M in tender graft

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has filed a suit seeking to recover more than Ksh.813 million from Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and 13 others over alleged involvement in graft.

EACC filed the case at the High Court in Nairobi, accusing Wamatangi of abusing his position while serving as Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing to influence the award of road construction tenders to companies associated with him.

According to court documents seen by Citizen Digital, the alleged offences occurred between the 2018/2019 and 2021/2022 financial years, involving contracts awarded by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA).

“The 1st defendant, while serving as Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Roads and Transportation, influenced the award of tenders by KeNHA, KURA, and KeRRA to companies associated with him,” reads part of the Amended Plaint filed by the Commission.

“The 1st defendant used his office to improperly confer a benefit to himself and the defendants, in blatant abuse of his position."

The Commission alleges that Governor Wamatangi concealed his ownership in the companies by purporting to relinquish directorship to close family members and proxies, yet “remained a signatory to the companies’ bank accounts and continued to transact on them, making him the beneficial owner.”

EACC listed five companies alleged to have received irregular payments from the three road agencies. These include Quick Fix Auto Garage Ltd, King Realtors Co. Ltd, King Group Co. Ltd, King Construction Co. Ltd, and Lub Plus Oil & Energy Co. Ltd.

Court papers show that the companies cumulatively received Ksh.726,483,442.40 from KeNHA and KURA and Ksh.86,662,090.00 from KeRRA during the period under investigation.

“The payments received to the tune of Kshs.813,145,532.40 pursuant to the subject contracts constituted proceeds of corruption or related to corruption,” EACC told the court.

The anti-graft body has sought preservation orders against the defendants’ assets pending the hearing and determination of the case.

In directions issued by Justice Lucy Njuguna on November 5, 2025, the court allowed EACC to serve the defendants and set November 18, 2025, as the hearing date for the injunction application.