NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been released from prison after being granted a Sh53 million bond by the High Court, pending the hearing of his appeal against a conviction in a Sh588 million graft case.
Waititu, who had been serving a 12-year prison sentence or an alternative fine of Sh52.5 million, was freed following a ruling by Justice Lucy Njuguna, who had twice denied him bond in earlier applications.
His release follows a renewed legal strategy where the former governor filed a fresh application seeking to amend his initial appeal to include new evidence and additional grounds.
The court allowed the amendments, giving him a renewed opportunity to contest the conviction and secure his freedom during the appeal process.
Waititu was convicted in February after the court found him guilty of conflict of interest and abuse of office in the award of road construction tenders during his tenure as Kiambu governor.
The case involved payments linked to Testimony Enterprises Limited, a firm the court said had ties to his family.
In addition to the jail sentence, the court also barred Waititu from holding public office or vying for any elective seat for the next seven years—a ruling that effectively dealt a blow to his political ambitions.
His wife, Susan Ndung’u, who was co-accused in the matter, was handed a one-year jail term or a Sh500,000 fine, while Testimony Enterprises directors Charles Chege and Beth Wangeci were also found guilty.
Chege was sentenced to nine years in jail or a Sh295 million fine, while Wangeci was given the option of one year in jail or a Sh1 million fine.
The High Court had initially dismissed Waititu’s bail bid, stating that his appeal would be fast-tracked instead.
However, with the latest application and court’s nod to amend his petition, Waititu successfully convinced the court to release him on bond as he fights to overturn the conviction.
The graft case stems from procurement deals awarded during Waititu’s time as governor, particularly tenders related to the construction of roads in Kiambu County.
Waititu’s legal team is now preparing to argue the merits of the appeal, which could determine whether his conviction stands or is overturned.
