Samuel Wachira, Ann Wangui Among 6 Charged Over KSh50M Land Deal

Six individuals from the Nakuru County Department of Lands have been charged over alleged procurement irregularities involving KSh50 million set aside for the purchase of land for the construction of a health centre in Umoja Lanet Ward, Bahati Sub-County.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said the accused include senior county officials and the vendor of the land identified as parcel No. LR Dundori/Lanet Block 5/894.

Those charged are Judyleah Gathoni Waihenya, Chief Officer in the Department of Lands, Housing and Physical Planning and Accounting Officer; Samuel Wachira Gachigi, Acting Director of Supply Chain Management Services; Ann Wangui Muya, a departmental accountant; Jane Karungari Muriuki, Senior Physical Planner; Sammy Munga Nyagah, Deputy Director of Administration; and Samuel Githure Maina, the vendor of the property.

The six face 10 counts, including conspiracy to commit an economic crime, engaging in a project without prior planning, wilful failure to comply with procurement laws, forgery and abuse of office, among other offences.

https://x.com/ODPP_KE/status/2092467588013977917?s=20

The prosecution alleges that between October 2019 and October 2020, the accused conspired to commit an economic crime involving KSh50 million in public funds.

The money was allegedly connected to Tender No. NCG/DP/LHPP/05/2019/2020 for the purchase of land intended for the construction of a health centre in Umoja Lanet Ward.

The ODPP further alleges that the project was undertaken without prior planning and that procurement requirements were not followed, including the requirement to establish the availability of funds before commencing the procurement process.