Waititu Has Case To Answer- Court On Ksh588M Graft Case

The Anti-Corruption Court sitting in Nairobi has found that former Kiambu Governor Waititu, his wife Susan and their co-accused have a case to answer in the Ksh588 million corruption case.

The ruling delivered by Milimani Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzyoki on Thursday, September 21 revealed that the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had established a prima facie case against the accused persons.

"Having considered the evidence on record, submissions by all parties herein as per Section 306 of the Criminal Procedure Code(CPC) I have arrived at a find that the prosecution has established a prima facie case against Waititu, his wife and their co-accused persons in Count 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,9,10,11 and 12," Magistrate Nzyoki ruled.

The magistrate said that the evidence adduced by the prosecution through 32 witnesses and 741 exhibits was overwhelming to enable them to be placed on their defence.

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

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

Waititu is accused by the 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 2022 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 valued at Ksh662 million.