The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has ordered fresh investigations into a Sh10.1 billion procurement deal in Kiambu County, casting new scrutiny on a controversial Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system tender.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had initially recommended prosecution of Kiambu County officials, including chief officer Zachariah Gitau and finance executive Nancy Kirumbi, over alleged procurement irregularities in the award of the contract to Filtronic International Limited.
However, DPP Renson Ingonga said his office had identified “critical evidentiary gaps” and directed investigators to gather more information before a final decision on prosecution could be made.
“The Sh10.1 billion Kiambu ERP file has been returned for further investigations. Once complete, it will be resubmitted for our consideration,” Ingonga stated.
The deal, meant to automate county financial and operational systems, has raised questions over inflated costs and possible conflict of interest in the tendering process.
While the Kiambu case remains under probe, the ODPP cleared other files for prosecution, approving corruption charges against high-profile leaders including Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok and former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati. Barchok is accused of conflict of interest and unlawful acquisition of public property, while Wangamati will face charges of conflict of interest linked to county funds allegedly diverted through private companies.
In Bungoma alone, 19 individuals, including directors of Skyman Freighters Ltd and Nabwala Construction Ltd, have been lined up for prosecution over procurement fraud, misappropriation of funds, and conflict of interest.
The ODPP emphasized that the renewed probe into Kiambu demonstrates its determination to build watertight cases before they proceed to court.
“Our goal is not just prosecution, but successful prosecution that upholds accountability and the rule of law,” Ingonga added.