Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been sentenced to 12 years in prison or pay a hefty fine of Ksh53.5 million.
The verdict was delivered on Thursday by Milimani Anti-Corruption Court Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki, marking a significant ruling in the fight against corruption in Kenya.
In addition to Waititu’s sentence, the court also ruled that his wife, Susan Wangare, must pay a fine of Ksh500,000 or serve a one-year prison term.
However, the magistrate clarified that the sentences would run concurrently, meaning they would serve their terms at the same time if they failed to pay the fines.
While delivering the ruling, Magistrate Nzioki emphasized that Waititu’s actions were not only unethical but also a serious betrayal of public trust.
He noted that such misconduct could not be forgiven, as it significantly weakened the principles of good governance.
“This case is a clear example of a leader breaching the trust placed in him by the public. The offenses committed by the accused were intentional and inexcusable. Their actions undermined governance and accountability,” Nzioki stated.
The magistrate further pointed out that Waititu and his co-accused deliberately engaged in criminal activities for personal gain, exploiting public funds that were meant to improve service delivery for the people of Kiambu County.
“The conduct of the accused persons clearly shows that they personally benefited from their unlawful actions.
Their main goal was to enrich themselves using public resources at the expense of citizens who depended on those funds for essential services,” the magistrate ruled.
Another major issue raised by the court was the forgery of academic certificates.
The magistrate condemned the accused for presenting fake academic documents, arguing that such dishonesty was unacceptable, especially in a country where many young graduates struggle to find jobs.
“What is most concerning is the intentional misrepresentation and forgery of academic documents. This is particularly troubling given the high levels of unemployment among the youth,” Nzioki remarked.
In addition to their sentencing, the court barred Waititu, his wife, and their co-accused from holding any public office for the next ten years.
The sentencing followed a ruling made on Wednesday, where the Chief Magistrate found Waititu and his co-accused guilty of multiple charges.
These included conflict of interest, awarding tenders without the approval of the Kiambu County Assembly, and forging crucial documents.
During the proceedings, Waititu was found guilty of engaging in business dealings that presented a conflict of interest and acquiring property under suspicious circumstances.
After the guilty verdict, the convicted individuals pleaded for leniency, asking the court for a non-custodial sentence.
They argued that they had already endured a great deal of suffering since their legal troubles began and deserved another chance.
Despite the harsh ruling, Magistrate Nzioki directed that important documents, including passports and title deeds that had been seized during investigations, be returned to the accused.
Furthermore, the court granted Waititu and his co-accused a 14-day period to appeal both the ruling and the sentencing.
Join Gen z and millennials TaskForce official 2025 WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time the ongoing situation https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
