Court Drops Ksh588 Million Graft Case Against Ferdinand Waititu

Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu can breathe a sigh of relief after a court dropped a Ksh588 million graft suit against him.

His case has been dropped after the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Waititu misused public funds through proxies and kickbacks.

Waititu, who was impeached as Kiambu County boss in January 2020, was charged with the irregular award of a tender of Ksh588 million.

Former Kiambu governor, Ferdinand Waititu. /CITIZEN DIGITAL

The court had frozen his property and his vehicles pending the determination of a case filed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

The case was adjourned on September 20, 2022, upon request by the defence team. The Milimani Anti-Corruption Court was expected to reconvene on Friday, October 14 for the continued hearing of the case when the prosecution was expected to present two more witnesses.

Waititu is accused by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) of abusing his position by engaging in business dealings that were against the public interest and accumulating wealth that was out of proportion to his known legitimate sources of income.

“The prosecution led by Faith Mwila and Linda Mwamburi was ready with two witnesses. The prosecution has produced 27 witnesses in the case,” the Directorate of Public Prosecution (ODPP) stated following the adjournment at the time.

Prior to the commencement of the case against Waititu, the High Court granted an application by the State to freeze 18 properties and seven cars owned by Waititu. He is accused of fraudulently accumulating assets totalling Ksh1.94 billion between 2015 and 2020 while serving as governor.

EACC in May targeted properties that included houses in Runda, Lakisama, Migaa Estate, Runda Grove and parcels of land in Embakasi Ranching, Thindigua and Kayole, all amounting to Ksh280 million. Also targeted by the commission were seven vehicles all valued at Ksh24.4 million and money in bank accounts.

The anti-graft body also disclosed that some of the properties in Kabete in Kiambu and Kitengela in Kajiado were registered in his wife’s name, while others were registered in the name of his companies including Saika Two Estate Developers Ltd, Lexis International Ltd and Bins Management Services Ltd.

Some of the properties included two prime buildings on Biashara Street and a hotel on the same street, all are valued at Ksh662 million.

The EACC added that the hotel ought to have been placed under receivership. He allegedly acquired them between 2017 and 2018 when he was the governor of Kiambu County.

Ferdinand Waititu and his wife during a past event. /STANDARD DIGITAL