Governor Wamatangi's arrest is not political witch-hunt, activists say

A group of activists has dismissed claims by Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi that his arrest by the anti-graft watchdog is political witch-hunt. 

Addressing the press outside Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) headquarters in Nairobi, the youth activists, under Mbunge Mashinani umbrella, said the arrest emanated from 'adverse audit report" against the devolved unit. 

They said the audit queries drew their attention, prompting them to write to authorities to investigate and issue answers to the allegations of graft deals in the county as highlighted in the 2022/2023 Auditor General's report.  

"After collecting views from Kiambu residents, we agreed to write to the County Assembly reminding them of their mandate to keep the county executive in check and flag the corruption scandals, but they failed to respond," said Michael Mburu, Mbunge Mashinani Executive Director.  

"We then wrote to the EACC and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), asking that we needed investigations over the report and it is what has culminated into the yesterday's (Tuesday) arrest," he added. 

This comes hours after Governor Wamatangi and eight other county officials spent the better part of Tuesday at Integrity Centre as they were bring grilled in connection with embezzlement of county resources. 

The session was marred with drama as group of his supporter flocked outside the anti-corruption watchdog offices calling for his release, claiming that Wamatangi's arrest was politically instigated. 

After more than five hours before the anti-graft officers, the Governor emerged from the EACC buildings with claims of political with-hunt, insisting that some unnamed figure was behind his woes. 

"The people who elected us are not the police or EACC. Recently, a senior person in the government called me and swore that by the time I finish my term, they would have soiled by name," he claimed. 

Wamatangi's arrest came moments after the Commission raided his Kibiku village home in Kabete and recovered Sh12 million and USD 13,000 believed to be proceeds of corruption. 

"Upon conclusion of investigations, the findings will guide the appropriate course of action which may include prosecution of any indivisudals found culpable,' said EACC boss Abdi Mohamud. 

The activists urged the Commission to speed up investigations against the Governor and initiate charges against him should they find irregularities in the manner he runs the county.  

"We expect that the EACC will complete investigations and prefer charges against the Governor so that we can know the truth about these corruption reports we are witnessing in the county," said Mburu. 

They youths had paid a courtesy call to the EACC seeking to be enjoined as interested party should the commission initiate corruption case against the governor, arguing this ensure residents of Kiambu will have a voice. 

'It is a case of public interest and w holding brief for the citizens of Kiambu," he said.