Seven former and current senior Nakuru County officials were on Friday charged with 19 counts relating to conflict of interest and procurement irregularities on contracts worth Sh120 million.
Appearing before the Nakuru Chief Magistrate, the seven, charged alongside two other private company directors, denied charges of corruption, conflict of interest, procurement fraud, money laundering and acquisition of crime proceeds.
The charges relate to the tender awarded to three companies for the acquisition of medical, youth and sports and environment equipment within Nakuru county between December 17, 2021 and August 9, 2025.
Lorna Karamuta, county Economist II was charged with conflict of interest, for indirectly acquiring private interest of Sh69.1 million on 14 contracts awarded to a company belonging to her husband Kenneth Muriithi, Denken Building and Construction Limited between December 17, 2021 and June 27, 2025.
Karamuta was also charged with knowingly acquiring an indirect private interest of Sh36.17 million for 10 contracts awarded to Murinchamba Enterprises Limited, her spouse’s company. She was also charged alongside her husband Muriithi, his three companies and his co-director Brian Mwenda, for the above amounts, totaling to Sh120 million on dates between December 17, 2021 and June 27, 2025..
“Between April 12, 2022 and July 23, 2025, you knowingly acquired an indirect private interest of Sh14.76 million, public funds for five contracts awarded to Windcom Solutions Limited, a company co-owned by your spouse Muriithi,” read the third count.
The county official was charged with three counts of money laundering. She allegedly operated a joint Family Bank Account with her spouse where his companies deposited Sh13.9 million.
The couple is said to have disguised the source of money deposited between January 2021 and April 2025, knowing too well the same allegedly formed part of proceeds of crime.
Between July 8, 2025 and July 15, 2025, Karamuta is said to have jointly operated a Cooperative Bank account where Sh7.8 million alleged proceeds of crime were deposited.
Daniel Wainaina, the acting Chief Officer Health, is said to have On November 19, 2021, is accused of failing to ensure that contracts were signed after the lapse of 14 days of notification of award of tender to Denken for supply and delivery of patient monitor towards renovation of Langa Langa Hospital, within Nakuru East Sub County.
According to the charge sheet, on dates between May 22, 2024 and June 25, 2025Dr Wainaina while serving as the Director Medical Services, engaged in corrupt practice by receiving a Sh107,000 bribe from Muriithi, director of companies awarded a tender by the county government,” read the charge.
Kennedy Mungai, the Chief Officer Environment and Energy was on his part accused of receiving Sh666,400 bribe from Muriithi on dates between June 26, 2024 and July 10, 2025 to influence procurement process.
Timothy Kiogora, the former Chief Officer Water was charged with receiving Sh197,000 bribe from Muriithi on dates between September 20, 2020 and July 6, 2025 to influence procurement process.
Chief Officer Youth and Sports Josphat Kimemia is said to have also received Sh61,500 bribe from Muriithi between June 13, 2022 and August 9, 2025 in a procurement process.
Nakuru City Manager Gitau Thambanja, is accused of receiving a Sh50,000 bribe from Muriithi to influence a procurement procedure Between January 25, 2024 and May 16, 2025.
Solomon Sirma, former Chief Officer Health allegedly received Sh187,000 bribe from Muriithi on dates between December 30, 2020 and April 9, 2025 to influence a medical procurement process.
Muriithi and his company Denken were charged with fraud for allegedly submitting false documents; curriculum vitae, academic certificates and lease agreement to county offices.
“The documents were supplied between 2021 and 2025, to support your bid in respect of 14 tenders for projects in Nakuru county,” the charge sheet read.
The suspects Lawyers successfully applied to court to release them on Sh 1 million for Karamuta, Muriithi and Mwenda with a surety of similar amount and sh Sh500,000 bond with an alternative cash bail of Sh200,000 for the remaining suspects.
Karamuta, Muriithi and Mwenda were ordered to deposit their passports in court and report to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Regional office Nakuru once in every two weeks until court rules otherwise.
