KERRA Official Appeals for Dowry Account Release Amid Corruption Allegations

Based on the information you provided, it seems that Daniel Wambua, a junior Accountant at the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), is facing a situation where his accounts have been frozen by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). He has petitioned the court to release the 21 million shillings held in these accounts, claiming that the money was intended for his fiancée’s dowry.

Wambua’s arguments, as presented through his lawyer, Danstan Omari, include the following points:

1. Purpose of the Account: Wambua claims that the frozen account was specifically set up for the purpose of collecting funds from family and friends for his intended marriage’s dowry payment. He asserts that this account is unrelated to any corrupt activities.
2. Contributions: He argues that the funds in the account were contributed by his family and friends for the legitimate purpose of dowry payment, and he even provides evidence of a WhatsApp group with contribution lists to support this claim.
3. Tradition and Embarrassment: Wambua states that fulfilling the dowry payment is a cultural and traditional obligation. He claims that the court’s orders to freeze the account led to the suspension of the dowry ceremony, causing embarrassment in front of his future in-laws.
4. Legitimate Income: He disputes the EACC’s claim that his known legitimate sources of income could not explain the accumulated wealth. He presents evidence, including recent payslips, to demonstrate that he has a legitimate monthly income that can account for the funds in question.
5. Constitutional Rights: Wambua argues that his rights under the Kenyan Constitution, including Article 45 (right to marry), Article 50 (fair administrative action), and possibly other provisions, are being infringed upon due to the frozen accounts.

It’s important to note that this situation is presented from Wambua’s perspective as shared through his lawyer. The EACC’s position is that the accumulated wealth is beyond his known legitimate sources of income and might have been obtained through corrupt dealings. The court will need to evaluate the evidence and arguments from both sides to make an informed decision on whether to release the frozen funds or uphold the freeze based on the ongoing investigation into allegations of corruption.