Blow to Wamatangi as High Court Freezes His Bank Accounts Over Graft Case
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has suffered another major setback after the High Court ordered the freezing of his bank accounts following fresh graft allegations. The move is the latest development in a long-running corruption case that has continued to pile pressure on the county boss.
The orders were issued on Thursday, January 15, by Justice Benjamin Mwikya in relation to a Ksh813 million civil recovery case filed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). The commission is seeking to recover money it believes was illegally acquired through corrupt dealings.
In his ruling, Justice Mwikya directed that Governor Wamatangi, his wife, his children, and 10 other individuals listed in the case will not be allowed to access the affected bank accounts until the court gives further directions.
The case is expected to be mentioned again on Wednesday, February 4, when the court will decide on the next steps.
The EACC had strongly pushed for the preservation orders, warning the court that without immediate action, the funds in question could be withdrawn, transferred, or hidden. According to the anti-graft agency, the money is suspected to be proceeds of corruption and needed to be secured as investigations and legal proceedings continue.
Justice Mwikya agreed with the commission’s argument, noting that there were no active preservation orders in place when the matter was first presented before the trial court. This gap, he said, made it necessary for the High Court to intervene to protect the funds.
“In my view, preservation orders were not in force when this matter appeared before the trial judge. Had they been in place, the court would have addressed the substance of the prayers contained in the application dated November 4, 2025,” the judge stated.
He added that circumstances surrounding the case had since changed, making it appropriate for the court to grant the orders sought by the EACC. “In the interest of justice, I allow the plaintiff’s application and grant the preservation orders until February 4, 2026, when the matter will be placed before the court again,” Justice Mwikya ruled.
Governor Wamatangi is accused of irregularly awarding tenders to companies linked to himself and members of his family during the 2018/2019 and 2021/2022 financial years.
At the time, he was serving as the chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Roads and Transportation, a position that gave him significant influence.
The EACC has recommended that Wamatangi be charged alongside his wife, sister, and other individuals implicated in the case. The proposed charges include conflict of interest, unlawful acquisition of public property, and possession of proceeds of crime.
The court ruling comes at a difficult time for the Kiambu governor, who has faced multiple challenges in recent days. Just a day earlier, government agencies demolished several businesses linked to him in the Nyayo Stadium area to pave the way for a planned infrastructure project.
Following the demolitions, Wamatangi visited the site on Wednesday, January 15, where he openly criticised the move. He claimed the actions were politically motivated and aimed at weakening him ahead of the 2027 Kiambu gubernatorial race.
“This is where my life started. I was once a small boy selling tea and mandazis before building the business that stood here,” Wamatangi said. “What has happened is purely political. It is meant to intimidate me, silence me, and push me out of the race.”
As the legal battles continue, all eyes will now be on the High Court’s next mention of the case in February, a date that could prove critical for the future of the Kiambu governor’s political career.
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