Former Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka Mwangi has been sentenced to two years in prison or a fine of Sh1 million after being convicted of procurement irregularities. The Nyandarua Anti-Corruption Court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Hezekiah Kago, also sentenced Grace Wanjiru Gitonga, the former County Executive Committee Member for Water, Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources, to two years in jail or a fine of Sh500,000.

Waithaka's sentence will run concurrently if he fails to pay the fine. Gitonga received a two-year sentence or a Sh500,000 fine for engaging in a project without prior planning, and an additional two-year sentence or a Sh500,000 fine for wilfully failing to comply with procurement laws. Gitonga's sentences will also run concurrently if she does not pay the fines.

The case against them stated that on April 30, 2014, both defendants, as public officers responsible for managing public property, violated the Public Procurement and Disposal Act of 2006. They unlawfully procured the services of M/s TAHAL Consulting Engineers Limited without a procurement plan for the 2013/2014 financial year, contravening Section 26(3)(a) of the Act.

The court also found that on or around April 4, 2014, Waithaka improperly used his office to benefit M/s TAHAL Consulting Engineers Limited. He awarded the company a contract for the development of the County Water Master Plan and the design review of the Ol Kalou Town Sewerage System without following the required procurement procedures.

Waithaka is the third governor in the past two years to be convicted on graft charges, following former Samburu County Governor Moses Lenolkulaal and former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu.