Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been handed a 12-year prison sentence following his conviction in a KES 588 million graft case. The Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, in a ruling delivered by Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki on February 13, found Waititu guilty of financial misconduct and conflict of interest, marking a significant ruling in Kenya’s ongoing fight against corruption.
Waititu was sentenced to seven years in jail with an alternative fine of KES 53.5 million. His wife, Susan Wangare, received a one-year sentence or an option to pay KES 500,000. The court ruled that their co-accused, including former Kiambu County Roads Chief Officer Luka Mwangi Wahinya and directors of Testimony Enterprises Limited, were also complicit in the fraudulent tender allocations and financial irregularities.
“The conduct of the accused persons shows that they derived benefits from their criminal actions. Their common motive was enrichment from public funds at the expense of service delivery to the people,” stated Magistrate Nzioki in his ruling.
Waititu’s sentencing also comes with a 10-year ban from holding public office, effectively ending any potential bid for re-election ahead of the 2027 general elections. The court determined that he had illegally profited from county funds, including KES 25 million funneled through a company linked to him.
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Additionally, the prosecution was ordered to return documents seized during the investigation, such as passports and title deeds. Waititu and his co-accused were granted a 14-day period to appeal the ruling.
