Former Nyandarua Governor Sentenced to Two Years in Jail Over Corruption
The Nyahururu Anti-Corruption Court has sentenced former Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka Mwangi to two years in prison after finding him guilty of procurement irregularities and abuse of office. However, he has the option of paying a fine of Ksh1 million instead of serving time.
Chief Magistrate Hezekiah Keago, in his ruling on Thursday, stated that Waithaka would serve a two-year jail term or pay a Ksh500,000 fine for failing to adhere to procurement laws.
Additionally, he was given another two-year sentence or the option of paying an extra Ksh500,000 fine for abuse of office.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) confirmed the sentencing in a statement released on Thursday, March 20.
Waithaka was not the only official sentenced in the case—Grace Wanjiru Gitonga, the former County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Water, Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources, was also found guilty.
According to ODPP, Chief Magistrate Keago ruled that if Waithaka failed to pay the fines, the sentences would run concurrently, meaning he would serve two years behind bars instead of four.
Gitonga was handed a similar sentence of two years in jail or a fine of Ksh500,000 for engaging in a project without prior planning. She also received an additional two-year term or another Ksh500,000 fine for failing to follow procurement laws.
Unlawful Procurement Deal
The case dates back to April 30, 2014, when the two, in their official capacity as public officers, unlawfully procured the services of an engineering consulting firm without an approved procurement plan for the 2013/2014 financial year.
Court documents revealed that Waithaka awarded a contract to the firm for the development of the Nyandarua County Water Master Plan and the design review of the Ol Kalou Town Sewerage System without following proper procurement procedures.
Furthermore, on March 13, 2025, the court found Waithaka guilty of misusing his office to unlawfully benefit the consulting company.
The prosecution presented evidence showing that the former governor had deliberately bypassed the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, 2006, when awarding the contract.
Pattern of Graft Convictions Among Former Governors
Waithaka now joins a growing list of former county bosses convicted of corruption-related charges in recent years.
He is the third governor to be found guilty of graft within the past two years, following the convictions of former Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulaal and former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu.
Last month, Waititu was sentenced to 12 years in prison or given the alternative of paying a hefty fine of Ksh53.5 million after being found guilty of irregularly awarding tenders.
In a separate ruling, he was handed an additional five-year jail term or required to pay a fine of Ksh2.5 million, along with a mandatory fine of Ksh51 million.
The recent court rulings signal an intensified crackdown on corruption, as more former senior officials face legal consequences for mismanaging public funds.
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