In a coordinated operation on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and nine other senior Kiambu county officials, marking a significant escalation in the fight against corruption in Kenya's devolved units. The arrests followed early morning raids on the governor’s residences and county offices, where EACC officers seized documents and electronic devices deemed critical to ongoing investigations into alleged embezzlement of public funds, procurement irregularities, and conflicts of interest.

The EACC's action underscores its commitment to pursuing corruption cases across the country. Simultaneously, the anti-graft commission is actively pursuing several other high-profile cases in various courts. These include a Nyeri land dispute concerning the recovery of government property, a KSh 302 million prisons scandal involving former deputy commissioner general of prisons, Benjamin Obuya Njoga, and others, and cases related to misuse of IEBC funds and fraud within the Uwezo Fund.

News of Wamatangi's arrest triggered immediate reactions, with some Kiambu residents staging protests outside his residence, chanting anti-government slogans and denouncing what they perceived as political intimidation. Conversely, other residents gathered at EACC offices, praising Wamatangi's leadership and demanding his release, highlighting the polarized sentiments surrounding the governor’s administration.

During the raid on Wamatangi's residence, EACC detectives recovered approximately KSh 12 million and USD 13,000 in cash, which they suspect are proceeds of corruption. The EACC has confirmed that the investigation focuses on the alleged embezzlement of KSh 1.5 billion and a KSh 230 million contract awarded to M/S Filtronic International Limited during the 2022/2023 financial year, raising questions about procurement processes and potential conflicts of interest.

The arrest of Kiambu's governor is not an isolated incident. The EACC is intensifying its scrutiny of county governments, as evidenced by similar operations in Turkana County. There, the EACC raided the homes and offices of ten senior officials, including County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Finance, Michael Eregae Ekidor, who is accused of channeling over Sh600 million to companies linked to himself and other officials. These actions reflect a broader strategy to build solid cases against individuals suspected of mismanaging public funds.

In response to the allegations, Wamatangi has dismissed impeachment threats from Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), asserting his focus remains on serving the residents of Kiambu. He claims he is being targeted for closing financial loopholes that previously facilitated the misuse of county funds. Wamatangi has defended his integrity, questioning how he could steal from the people, given his own humble background.

EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud is expected to release a detailed statement outlining the commission’s next steps. The ongoing investigations and arrests signal a renewed effort to enforce accountability and transparency in the management of public resources, potentially setting a precedent for future actions against corruption in county governments across Kenya.