Why DPP Ingonga wants governors Barchok, Wangamati in the dock

A collage of Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok and former Bungoma Governor Wycliff Wangamati. [Photos, Standard] The Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga has ordered the prosecution of Bomet Governor Hillary Kipngeno and former Bungoma Governor Wycliff Wangamati over alleged graft. At the same time, Mr. Ingonga has directed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate further Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and his Marsabit counterpart Mohammed Mahmud. This come as the High Court in Nairobi barred the DPP and EACC from summoning, interviewing or charging seven persons linked to Wamatangi's woes. "A conservatory order is hereby issued against the respondents, whether by themselves or through their servants, agents, employees, or related entities operating with them under a multi-agency framework, from summoning, interviewing, arresting, detaining, charging, causing to be charged, prosecuting, or continuing to prosecute any of the petitioners or applicants with regard to any matter touching on the ownership, affairs, or operations of the Interested Parties and or the other matters that are the subject of the petition herein," ruled Justice Bahati Mwamuye. Those who sued the DPP and EACC are Victor Arara, Joseph Mwaura, Charles Kiarie, Ann Waruguru, Anneie Murugi, Mary Esther Njeri and Nicholas Kimani. The seven appeared in court regarding Kingdom Group Company, Kings Realtors Limited, Lub Plus Oil and Energy Company, and Quick Fix Auto Garage Limited. In their case, they alleged that Wamatangi's woes with the State were linked to their friendship or family relationship with him, but not based on any graft. "The first respondent (EACC) has commenced vicious, partisan and unwarranted attack harassing and victimizing the petitioners herein, solely based on their existing familial relationship and or friendship with Governor Paul Wamatangi," their court papers reads in part. Wamatangi, in his case, separately filed before the High Court stated that although the EACC had obtained orders to investigate a tender for the supply, delivery, and installation of the Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP) to Filtronic International Limited, it ended up arresting him, which was outside the court's orders. The governor claimed that he has been a victim of harassment and victimization by EACC for the past year. He further argued that this was a guise of conducting investigations into corruption allegations. Wamatangi sued EACC, the Director of Public Prosecution, and the Inspector General of Police, seeking to block either summons, arrests or being charged. His lawyer, Dr Jotham Arwa argued that he was paraded to the public as though he had committed a crime. "Even after the applicant had recorded a statement, the second respondent unreasonably and without any justifiable cause continued to detain him and only released him once his advocates threatened to pursue legal action over the outrageous abuse of power," argued Arwa. In the meantime, the DPP directed that Kipngeno be charged alongside Chemasus Construction Limited's director Evans Kipkoech Korir in relation to an alleged Sh 2.5 million conflict of interest saga. On the other hand, Wangamati will be on the dock in relation to an alleged Sh 70 million embezzlement allegation. The EACC had recommended that Wangamati be charged alongside Maurice Wabwile, Alex Odanga, Edward Maaya, Jumah Swaleh, Wafula Wakoli, Wisdom Baraka, Rita Mwaka, Sandra Soita, and Christopher Makhokha. Others are Jimmy Wekesa, Edward Wangamati, Silvan Wanyonyi, George Wangamati, Emmanuel Wangamati, and Webuye Member of Parliament David Wanyama. However, the DPP directed that the former governor, Michael, Nicholas, Edward, Maaya, Wafula, Swaleh Wakoli Chesititi, Jimmy Wekesa, and Joseph Wanyonyi be charged for various offences including alleged fraudulent procurement practice.

Why DPP Ingonga wants governors Barchok, Wangamati in the dock

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Why DPP Ingonga wants governors Barchok, Wangamati in the dock

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