NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been released from Kamiti Maximum Prison following a High Court decision to review his bail terms pending the hearing of his appeal in a Sh588 million corruption case.
Waititu walked free on Thursday, March 5, after the Milimani High Court approved revised bail conditions that significantly reduced the financial requirements for his temporary release.
The court set bail at Sh20 million in cash, alongside two sureties backed by property valued at not less than Sh30 million each.
Waititu’s lawyer, Jeremy Njenga, confirmed the development in court.
“I am holding brief for the appellant who is now a free man,” Njenga told the court.
Conviction in the Sh588M graft case
Waititu was convicted in February by the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court after being found guilty of failing to safeguard public funds during his tenure as Kiambu governor.
The court determined that he had irregularly received Sh25 million from a contractor linked to an unlawful tender award.
In the ruling, Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki said Waititu’s conduct while in office undermined the principles of good governance.
The court ordered the former governor to pay a fine of Sh53.5 million or serve a 12-year jail sentence.
Wife also convicted
Waititu’s wife, Susan Wangare, who was also implicated in the case, was fined Sh500,000 or sentenced to one year in prison.
The case forms part of a broader anti-corruption crackdown targeting public officials accused of misusing public funds.
Appeal process continues
Despite the conviction, Waititu has continued to pursue legal avenues to challenge the verdict.
In a separate ruling delivered on September 16, Justice Lucy Njuguna declined an application by Waititu seeking to overturn his 12-year prison sentence, stating that the appeal lacked sufficient grounds.
The latest ruling allowing bail means Waititu will remain free while the court continues to hear the substantive appeal.
The former governor has faced multiple investigations and legal battles with anti-corruption agencies since leaving office in 2019.
