The hearing of a KSh351 million corruption case involving former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria and six others failed to proceed on Friday, October 23 after the defence told the court that they were not ready to proceed without being served with typed proceedings.

Wa Iria and the other accused are facing fresh charges in connection with alleged fraud involving a media-buying contract awarded by the Murang’a County Government to Top Image Media Consultants Limited.

The prosecution alleges that the contract resulted in the loss of KSh351,097,491.15 in public funds.

Wa Iria faces a charge of conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption, with the prosecution alleging that the accused conspired to commit fraud between October 21, 2014, and June 19, 2017.

The former governor is also charged with conflict of interest over allegations that he acquired a direct private interest in contracts between the county government and Top Image Media Consultants Limited and received KSh31.8 million from the company.

The amended charge sheet also contains money laundering charges involving millions of shillings allegedly received from the county government through the company.

The accused persons include Wa Iria, David Maina Kiama, David Maina Njeri, Jane Waigwe Kimani, Solomon Mutura Kimani and Peter Muturi Karanja. Top Image Media Consultants Limited and Value View Limited are also listed among the accused.

The case will be mentioned on October 29 for further directions.