The High Court has extended interim injunctive orders freezing bank accounts linked to Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and several other individuals in an asset recovery suit filed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
The matter came up for directions on Wednesday, in which the Commission sought an extension of the interim orders of injunction pending the hearing and determination of the asset recovery case.
The court granted the extension, ordering that the injunctive relief will remain in force until March 17, 2026, when the case will be mentioned before Justice Benjamin Musyoki.
In the meantime, the court directed parties to exchange written submissions on the pending injunction application, granting each side 14 days to do so.
Parties were also granted liberty to file and respond to pleadings arising from an application by Governor Wamatangi, seeking to strike out the suit.
The extended orders prohibit the Governor and other respondents from dealing with funds held in several bank accounts identified in the proceedings.
“That pending the hearing and determination of this application, this court be pleased to grant an order of injunction prohibiting the respondents, their agents, servants or any other persons from withdrawing, transferring, disposing, wasting and/or in any other way dealing with funds in bank accounts numbers,” the application by EAC states.
The EACC argues that the preservation orders are necessary to safeguard public funds while the court considers both the injunction application and the substantive asset recovery suit.
According to the Commission, there is a real risk that the funds may be dissipated if the orders are lifted before the case is heard and determined.
The asset recovery proceedings arise from a civil suit filed by the Commission on October 31, 2025, seeking the recovery of Sh813.1 million allegedly obtained through corruption proceeds.
The Commission alleges the funds are linked to irregularly awarded road construction tenders in Kiambu County.
In earlier proceedings, the High Court issued preservation orders freezing bank accounts associated with Governor Wamatangi, his wife, children, and 10 other individuals and entities named in the suit.
In a previous ruling, Justice Benjamin Mwikya observed that when the matter was first placed before the trial court, no preservation orders were in force. The court subsequently intervened to prevent any dealings with the disputed funds, citing the need to preserve the subject matter of the suit.
The EACC maintains that, without interim freezing orders, the purpose of the recovery proceedings would be defeated.
Apart from seeking restitution of the Sh813.1 million, the Commission is also pursuing permanent injunctions and preservation orders to secure funds held in various bank accounts linked to individuals and companies under investigation.
Governor Wamatangi has previously opposed the proceedings, insisting that he is being unfairly targeted.
He has described the intended charges and investigations as politically motivated and has denied having any shareholding interests in several of the companies named in the suit.
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