Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has secured temporary relief after the High Court extended interim orders barring the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) from arresting or prosecuting him over graft allegations until October 8, 2025.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Chacha Mwita, allows Wamatangi to continue discharging his duties as investigations into alleged embezzlement of public funds within his administration continue.
The court directed the governor to file written submissions within seven days, while the respondents were given 14 days. A final determination on whether the conservatory orders will be lifted or sustained is set for October 8.
This latest decision follows an earlier conservatory order issued on July 24, 2025, which barred EACC and ODPP from arresting or charging the governor while his petition was pending.
Justice Mwita stressed that while parts of the investigation were conducted under valid court orders, the ODPP had not made a prosecutorial decision.
He cautioned against any violation of Wamatangi’s constitutional rights, including his right to privacy and human dignity, during the probe.
“The court will not interfere with investigations unless it is shown that the process has exceeded its legal bounds,” Justice Mwita ruled.
The case stems from an EACC raid on April 15, 2025, at Wamatangi’s home and county offices as part of a probe into alleged procurement irregularities. Nine senior county officials were also arrested during the swoop.
The investigations are said to focus on tender awards linked to an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system allegedly awarded to companies associated with the governor through the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA).