The High Court froze bank accounts belonging to Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, his wife, children, and 10 other individuals in connection with a separate Sh813 million corruption case.
This will happen pending the hearing of an assets recovery suit filed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
On Thursday, Justice Benjamin Mwikya noted that when the matter first appeared before the trial judge, there were no preservation orders in place.
“In my mind, the preservation orders were not in force when this matter appeared before the trial judge.”
“Had they been in place, the court would have addressed the merits of the prayers in the application dated November 4, 2025,” Justice Mwikya said.
He agreed with submissions by the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) that the circumstances surrounding the case had since changed, warranting interim intervention by the court.
“I therefore agree with the plaintiff’s counsel that the circumstances have changed, and in the interest of justice, I grant prayer two of the plaintiff’s application until February 4, 2026, when this matter will be placed before the court,” he ruled.
Wamatangi is facing a number of suits in courts.
The prayers sought relate to preservation orders freezing several bank accounts held by the governor, his immediate family members and other individuals and entities named in the suit, pending the hearing and determination of the asset recovery case.
The EACC argued that without such orders, there was a real risk that the funds alleged to be proceeds of corruption could be dissipated, defeating the purpose of the suit.
The orders were issued against the backdrop of an ongoing procedural dispute after Wamatangi applied for the recusal of the judge initially handling the matter.
The recusal application, filed late last year, had effectively stalled substantive proceedings before the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division of the High Court in Nairobi, with the defence insisting that no other applications should be entertained until that issue is resolved.
In its suit filed on October 31, 2025, the EACC sought to recover Sh813.1 million, which it claims constitutes proceeds of corruption and unjust enrichment linked to the award of road construction tenders in Kiambu County.
Apart from restitution, the commission also sought permanent injunctions and preservation orders to secure the disputed funds held in various bank accounts associated with companies and individuals under investigation.
The commission said that the interim freezing of the accounts is necessary to safeguard public funds while the court determines the recusal application and the substantive asset recovery case.
Wamatangi previously argued that he is being unfairly targeted and that the intended charges are politically motivated.
He has also denied having shareholding interests in the companies under investigation.
The matter is scheduled to come up for mention on February 4, 2026, for further directions.
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