The High Court has temporarily halted the County Government of Kiambu from paying Ksh. 166,295,500 to Filtronic International Limited, a firm accused of fraudulently securing a multi-million-shilling tender for an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. The interim order, issued on October 31, 2025, followed an urgent application by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) seeking to restrain the county from releasing the remaining balance of the Ksh. 230 million contract. The injunction will last 14 days pending further hearings scheduled for November 13.
The EACC alleges that Filtronic International Limited, along with six county officials, manipulated the tender process to illegally acquire public funds. Those named in the suit include Bernard Theuri, Chen Ligou, and Martha Wachinga — directors of Filtronic — as well as Phyllis Muiruri, acting head of supply chain management, and Zachary Gitau, county chief officer for revenue, supply chain, ICT, and internal audit. The commission claims the company submitted forged audited financial statements, falsified bank documents, and fabricated resumes to meet tender requirements.
Investigations further reveal that despite the contract officially lapsing in November 2023, county officials approved a one-year extension in February 2024, even though there was no valid contract to extend. Filtronic has already received Ksh. 63,704,500 between July 2023 and June 2025 in multiple payments, prompting the EACC to demand the refund of the amount, describing it as proceeds of corruption. The anti-graft body is also asking the court to declare the tender award, the contract, and its extension null and void, and to permanently restrain the county from making additional payments to the company.
The case has drawn attention to systemic weaknesses in county procurement and governance practices, highlighting the need for stricter oversight and accountability in the management of public funds. Legal experts say the outcome could set an important precedent for future corruption cases involving county governments. The court will hear the case inter partes on November 13, 2025, where both the county and the company will be expected to present their defense.