Woes Pile For Waititu As EACC Freezes Ksh2 Billion Wealth

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has barred former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu and his family from accessing their bank accounts and assets worth close to Ksh2 billion.

EACC stated on Saturday, September 23 that Waititu will be forfeiting the said assets to the State pending investigations of his charges related to the Ksh588 million road tender scandal.

The anti-corruption body obtained a court order freezing accounts held by Waititu and his wife Susan Wangari over alleged corruption. 

"EACC has since obtained orders from the High Court freezing the family’s unexplained wealth amounting to nearly Ksh2 billion pending the ongoing civil suit seeking orders for forfeiture of the said assets to the State," stated EACC on X (formerly Twitter).

At the same time, the High Court found out that eight other suspects with whom Waititu was charged will have to stand trial in court.

In a ruling delivered on Thursday, September 21, the Anti-Corruption Court sitting in Nairobi found Waititu, his wife Susan and their co-accused with a case to answer where Milimani Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzyoki said the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had established a prima facie case against the accused persons.

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.

The charges against the eleven are in connection with various offences which were committed in Kiambu County where Waititu served for more than three years. Also included are charges of conflict of interest, unlawful acquisition of public property, and dealing with suspect property. 

The couple is accused of using their positions to award tenders to companies that they had an interest in, and then receiving kickbacks from those companies. They are also accused of laundering the proceeds of crime. 

"In the previous quarter, an additional file was forwarded to the DPP recommending prosecution of Ferdinand Waititu, his spouse and their daughter for embezzlement of public funds in Kiambu County," EACC added.

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.

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.

The trial is ongoing and no verdict has yet been reached. However, if convicted, Waititu and his wife risk being sentenced to many years in prison.