Nairobi, Kenya – The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has intensified a corruption probe into Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, summoning top road agency officials and freezing several bank accounts amid allegations of graft. Investigators have ordered the Director-Generals of KeNHA, KeRRA, and KURA – key highway and roads authorities – to record statements as they examine suspect contracts under Wamatangi’s county administration. As part of the inquiry, EACC revealed it obtained court orders to freeze accounts of five companies believed to be linked to fraudulent multi-million shilling deals.

The swift moves by the anti-graft body came shortly after Governor Wamatangi rushed to court seeking to block his arrest or prosecution over the claims. In filings, the first-term governor dismissed the accusations as politically motivated and denied any involvement in improper procurement deals. He argued that EACC’s actions – including an April raid that seized KSh 13 million in cash from his residence – are aimed at tarnishing his reputation.

EACC investigators paint a different picture. Back in April, anti-corruption detectives searching Wamatangi’s home and county offices say they recovered KSh 13 million in local currency plus USD 13,000 (about KSh 1.68 million) in cash. The EACC’s CEO, Twalib Mbarak, indicated the funds are suspected kickbacks from irregular contracts, and vowed to pursue forfeiture of any assets proven to be illicit gains. “We have critical evidence supporting the investigation – including cash seized from the governor’s residence – and will seek to prosecute all involved,” an EACC statement noted.

The probe has put Governor Wamatangi’s leadership under a cloud, and EACC officials say it underscores a broader crackdown on county-level graft. By freezing company accounts and hauling in agency chiefs for questioning, the commission aims to unravel what it suspects is a network of kickbacks and collusion in Kiambu’s road tenders. The outcome of the investigation could lead to criminal charges against any officials found culpable, as well as asset seizures to recover stolen public funds.