The consequences of Kiambu Governor Kimani Wa Matangi’s incompetence are now reverberating well beyond the financial burdens placed on county employees, with families now falling apart, marriages being tested and personal lives descending into shambles as the county government continues to neglect its responsibility to pay workers on time.
This mounting crisis has led to a disturbing number of personal and family breakdowns, with some workers now unable to meet their basic needs due to the governor’s failure to release salaries for the past two months, leaving their spouses and children struggling to make ends meet.
For many, the situation has slowly deteriorated into an emotional and financial nightmare, with partners who are now burdened by the weight of unpaid wages, unable to provide for their households, thus causing deep resentment and disillusionment in what were once peaceful homes.
One particularly heartbreaking case has was brought to our attention by a husband, who reached out to us and expressed his frustration over constantly having to provide fare and lunch money to his wife, who works for the county, despite her being employed by the very same government that has failed to pay her for her work.
“Hi Nyakundi. Governor Kimani Wa Matangi has not paid county workers for the last two months. My wife works for the county and I’m tired of giving her fare and lunch yet she is employed,” he lamented.
His emotional plea reflects the growing frustration of many families in Kiambu who rely on the county government for their livelihoods.
These complaints come against the backdrop of Kiambu’s already tarnished leadership under Governor Wa Matangi, who was recently arrested over corruption allegations.
Wa Matangi was arrested on the morning of April 15, 2025, by detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over serious corruption allegations and procurement irregularities within the county government.
The arrest followed coordinated early morning raids at his rural home in Kibiku, Kabete sub-county, and at county offices, with a heavy police presence securing the scenes.
The raids, which involved a heavy police presence, are linked to ongoing investigations into allegations of embezzlement, procurement irregularities, and conflicts of interest within the county’s management.
Wamatangi was taken into custody alongside eight senior Kiambu County officials and a businessman connected to the county’s procurement processes.
The operation was launched following ongoing investigations into the suspected embezzlement of public funds, conflicts of interest, and irregular procurement deals.
During the raid at the governor’s residence, EACC officers recovered Ksh12 million in Kenyan currency and $13,000 in cash, which they suspect are proceeds of corruption.
Investigators are focusing on a Ksh230 million contract awarded for an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to M/s Filtronic International Limited in the 2022/2023 financial year, along with other dubious payments totaling up to Ksh1.5 billion.
The arrested officials include key county executives and directors responsible for finance, supply chain, and revenue, as well as a clerical officer and the director of the implicated company.
Wamatangi and the other detained officials were taken to the EACC’s Integrity Centre in Nairobi, where they recorded statements before being released pending arraignment in court.
Kiambu County Traders Question Sudden Rise in Business Permit Costs
