Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi was arrested on Monday by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over allegations of corruption, marking the latest high-profile crackdown on graft in county governments. The arrest follows simultaneous raids at Wamatangi’s residence and county offices, where EACC detectives seized documents and electronic devices believed to contain crucial evidence.
According to EACC sources, Wamatangi was taken into custody alongside nine senior county officials in connection with embezzlement of public funds and conflict of interest in procurement deals. The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct within the Kiambu County government.
EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak is expected to issue a detailed statement later today, but preliminary reports suggest the probe revolves around irregular tendering processes and misuse of county resources. Detectives have been scrutinizing multiple transactions, with suspicions that county officials may have awarded lucrative contracts to companies linked to them or their associates.
The arrest has sparked mixed reactions, with anti-graft activists applauding the EACC’s bold move while Wamatangi’s allies dismiss it as politically motivated. Kiambu County has been under scrutiny for years over corruption allegations, with previous governors also facing similar investigations.
Governor Wamatangi, who took office in 2022, had pledged to clean up the county’s finances, making his arrest particularly significant. Critics now question whether he will step aside during the investigation, as required by law, or challenge the charges in court.
The arrest underscores EACC’s renewed push to hold powerful county officials accountable. In recent months, the commission has intensified investigations into several governors, with some already facing prosecution.
