Former Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria, along with two others, has pleaded not guilty following accusations of irregularly awarding contracts totaling Kes351 million for media buying services.

He has been freed on a Kes10 million cash bail or Kes20 million bond. Appearing before Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzyuki at Milimani Anti-corruption Court, Wa Iria, David Njeri, and Solomon Kimani denied the charges against them.

Earlier, Justice Nixon Sifuna had instructed Wa Iria to report to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for processing, following the lifting of orders halting his prosecution. In court, Wa Iria, flanked by political allies, was represented by a team of lawyers led by Senior Counsel Kalonzo Musyoka.

The prosecution has filed charges against Wa Iria, Patrick Mukuria, Jane Wanjiru Mbuthia, David Kiama, David Maina Njetrii, Jane Waigwe Kimani, Solomon Kimani, Peter Muturi Karanja, and the companies Top Image Media Consultants and Value View Limited. However, David Maina Kiama and Jane Waigwe Kimani were absent.

Kiama is reported to be in Northern Tanzania, while Jane is said to be unwell. Their pleas were postponed to May 7, with the court ordering Jane to provide medical documentation and Kiama to submit travel documents proving his presence in Tanzania.

The remaining accused individuals, Patrick Mukuria, Jane Mbuthia, and Peter Muturi Karanja, entered their pleas on Monday and were granted bail. Mbuthia, purportedly due to her directorship at Top Image, was released on a Kes4 million bail, while Patrick and Peter received bail set at Kes1 million each.

The charges stem from allegations that between October 21 and June 19, 2017, in Murang'a County, the accused conspired to engage in corrupt activities regarding a contract unlawfully awarded to Top Image Media Consultants Limited by the Murang'a County Government for media buying services.

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