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Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu was sentenced on Thursday to 12 years in prison or a fine of Ksh53.5 million.
The court ruled that Waititu would serve five years in jail or pay a fine of Ksh2.5 million. Additionally, he was handed a mandatory fine of Ksh51 million, failing which he would serve an additional seven years behind bars. The sentencing followed his conviction for irregularly awarding tenders in Kiambu County in February 2018 during his tenure as governor.
- Milimani Anti-Corruption Court Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki also ruled that Waititu’s wife, Susan Wangare, should either pay a fine of Ksh500,000 or serve a one-year prison term. However, he clarified that the sentences would run concurrently.
The magistrate further emphasized that Waititu’s actions could not be overlooked, as they undermined the principles of good governance.
“This case exemplifies a serious breach of public trust by the former governor and his co-accused. Their actions were deliberate, unjustifiable, and in direct violation of good governance,” Nzioka stated.
He further ruled that the accused had personally benefited from their offenses.
“Their conduct clearly shows that they gained from their illegal activities. Their primary goal was personal enrichment through public funds at the expense of service delivery,” he added.
Former Chief Officer for Roads, Transport, Public Works, and Utilities Luka Mwangi Wahinya was sentenced to two years in prison or a fine of Ksh1 million. Additionally, he was ordered to pay a mandatory fine of Ksh20 million or serve five years in prison.
Meanwhile, directors of Testimony Enterprises Limited, Charles Chege Mbuthia and Beth Wangeci Mburu, were sentenced to four years in prison or a fine of Ksh2 million each. They also faced mandatory fines of Ksh294 million and Ksh1.4 million, respectively, with default sentences of three years in prison.
The Chief Magistrate also condemned the accused for forging academic documents, highlighting the seriousness of such offenses, particularly at a time when unemployment remains a major challenge.
“I am particularly concerned by the deliberate misrepresentation and forgery of academic credentials, especially when many young graduates are struggling to secure employment,” Nzioka noted.
Additionally, the court barred Waititu, his wife, and their co-accused from holding any public office for the next ten years.
However, Nzioka ordered that all documents confiscated during the investigation—including passports, cash bail, and title deeds—be returned to the accused. He also granted them 14 days to appeal both the judgment and the sentencing.
The sentencing followed Wednesday’s ruling, in which the court found Waititu and his co-accused guilty of multiple offenses, including conflict of interest, awarding tenders without approval from the Kiambu County Assembly, and document forgery.
Despite their conviction, Waititu and his co-accused had pleaded for a non-custodial sentence, arguing that they had already suffered significantly since their arraignment and deserved a second chance.
