Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi was apprehended on Tuesday morning after a dramatic operation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) aimed at his homes and county offices due to claims of embezzlement and misuse of office.
The EACC operation, conducted concurrently in multiple locations, also aimed at nine additional senior county officials believed to be involved in the misuse of public funds and conflict of interest.
Groups of furious residents assembled outside Governor Wamatangi’s residence during the raid, staging protests and calling for accountability.
The protesters shouted slogans and carried signs, demanding transparency and an end to corruption in local government.
The high-profile detention occurs during a continuing probe into significant financial misconduct within the Kiambu County administration, with claims suggesting systematic mismanagement and deceitful payroll practices.
The investigation was initiated due to months of political pressure and public outcry, especially from Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thang’wa, who alerted authorities earlier this year about questionable modifications to the county’s payroll system.
In February 2024, Senator Thang’wa disclosed that the county had discreetly shifted from an automated payroll system back to a manual one, eliciting worries about possible tampering.
“The return to a manual payroll system, presented as a technical problem, has fostered an ideal atmosphere for theft,” stated Thang’wa.
“Alleged ghost employees have obtained more than Sh390 million in deceitful disbursements.”
The senator claimed additionally that at least 15 county officials had unlawfully obtained more than sh500 million, and that over 200 people had been employed through improper contracts.
“I call on the EACC to take immediate and firm action to stop this theft of public funds and to ensure that those accountable are brought to justice,“ he stressed.
Governor Wamatangi, who assumed office after Ferdinand Waititu’s impeachment, has encountered increasing criticism regarding his administration’s management of public finances.
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