Ex-Murang’a Governor Wa Iria’s corruption trial delayed as defence cites missing court documents

Former Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria Mwangi Wa Iria. (Photo: X/Mwangi Wa Iria)

The corruption trial of former Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria and eight co-accused failed to proceed on Friday after the defence told the court they had not received the typed proceedings needed to prepare for the hearing.

The accused appeared before Milimani Anti-Corruption Court Magistrate Harrison Barasa but said they were not ready to proceed without the documents.

The court adjourned the matter and directed that it be mentioned on October 29, 2026, for further directions.

The delay means the court will have to address the issue of the missing proceedings before the case can move forward.

Wa Iria and his co-accused are facing corruption-related charges linked to an alleged Sh351.1 million media contract involving the Murang’a County Government.

The prosecution is pursuing the case over allegations surrounding the contract, which is at the centre of the charges against the former governor and the other accused.

During Friday’s proceedings, the defence indicated that the accused could not proceed with the hearing because they had not been served with the typed court proceedings.

“We are not ready to proceed as we have not been served with the typed proceedings,” the accused told the court.

Magistrate Barasa consequently adjourned the case, directing the parties to return to court on October 29 for further directions.

The mention will provide an opportunity for the court to address the outstanding issue and determine the next steps in the proceedings.

Wa Iria, who served as Murang’a governor, is among the nine accused persons facing the corruption case over the alleged multimillion-shilling media contract.

The charges remain before the court, with the matter scheduled to return on October 29, 2026.