New push for Kiamba accounts freeze

Nairobi County Chief Finance Officer Jimmy Kiamba appearing before Public Accounts Committee in May 6. He is among the senior officers to be investigated over financial mismanagement and loss of county assets. [PHOTO: JAMES MWANGI/STANDARD]

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has renewed its bid to have bank accounts held by suspended Nairobi County Chief Finance Officer Jimmy Kiamba frozen.

The anti-graft agency wants the High Court to reverse dismissal orders issued last Thursday, claiming they have barred investigators from scrutinising Mr Kiamba's wealth.

EACC decided to investigate Kiamba after it was discovered that his fortune did not match the Sh85,000 pay he earned from the county.

"It is in the interest of justice that the applicant (EACC) be allowed to discharge its mandate without unnecessary restraint," the commission said through lawyer Kyeli Wambua.

Last week, Justice Msagha Mbogholi dismissed EACC's application, which sought to have the accounts frozen for over six months to allow further investigations on Kiamba's vast estates.

Justice Msagha said the anti-graft watchdog had not served Kiamba with the first freeze orders, which were issued on November 14, adding that the respondent was adversely affected because he could not make transactions in the accounts.

Mr Kyeli, however, argued that EACC had already issued notices to Kiamba to explain how he acquired some of his assets, but they had not been furnished with adequate information.

"There will be no prejudice occasioned on the respondent if the order is vacated," he said.

The application was made before Msagha and he directed that the two parties appear before him on July 20.

EACC forensic expert James Kariuki told the court that the information the anti-graft agency would get in its inquiries against Kiamba could not be used in the Sh20 million case against him in the magistrate's court.