Junior gov't official whose Ksh.21M was frozen by EACC says he can't pay dowry

In his affidavit, Daniel Wambua claims that he has been suspended from work and subjected to financial distress.

Further, he says that his reputation has been tarnished, as he has been unjustly depicted as untrustworthy in the eyes of his in-laws.

“The applicant’s malicious acts have led to my suspension at my workplace and as such, I have been subjected to great turmoil and financial distress,” reads the affidavit.

While asking the court to set aside the orders to release the Ksh.21 million held, Wambua argues that he is in several chama groups where they contribute towards each member’s events when the need arises and they also extend the courtesy.

“The application freezing my accounts is vexatious, malicious, ill-informed, ill-willed and unfounded,” he told the court.

Through his lawyer Danstan Omari, Wambua says that the frozen funds were designated for the settlement of all financial obligations related to the dowry payment and the broader ceremony.

“The singular intent for establishing this account was to accumulate funds earmarked for the dowry payment,” reads the court papers.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) obtained High Court orders freezing over Ksh.21 million held in three bank accounts held by Wambua.

Wambua, a junior Accountant at the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), is said to have amassed a total of Ksh.21,189,125 in four months.

The commission is investigating allegations that Munywoki accumulated this wealth, which it says is way beyond his known legitimate sources of income, through corrupt dealings.