An assistant accountant at the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), Esther Wanjiru Chege, was on Tuesday arraigned at the Kajiado Law Courts alongside two other suspects over allegations of irregularly awarding public contracts to companies linked to her immediate family members.
According to a statement by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Wanjiru is accused of using her position at KeRRA to influence tender awards in favor of companies owned by her spouse and brother while she served in various regional offices of the roads agency.
The companies under scrutiny include Rokays Enterprise Limited, Reswan Holdings Limited, and Kaydtech Enterprises Limited all of which are allegedly owned by Wanjiru’s husband, Robert Macharia Kimotho. EACC investigations revealed that the contracts were unlawfully awarded, raising questions about blatant conflict of interest and abuse of office.
The commission further disclosed that between January 2016 and May 2022, Wanjiru’s net salary rose from Ksh. 49,580 to Ksh. 116,640, yet her accumulated assets were found to be grossly disproportionate to her known legitimate income sources.
Following her arrest on May 2, 2025, along with her co-accused, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) approved charges under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA). The suspects appeared before Chief Magistrate Roselyne Oganyo and were formally charged with conflict of interest, unlawful acquisition of public property, and conspiracy to commit an economic crime, among other offences.
A fourth suspect, whose identity was not disclosed, failed to appear in court as he is reportedly out of the country on a work trip in Cambodia. The three accused pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The court set the next hearing date for May 9, 2025, when further directions on the matter will be issued. The EACC has affirmed its commitment to intensifying efforts to curb corruption in public institutions and ensure accountability among public servants.
The case underscores the ongoing fight against economic crimes in Kenya’s public service, particularly in infrastructure and procurement sectors.
