NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been sentenced to 12 years in prison or a Sh53.5 million fine after being found guilty of corruption-related charges linked to an irregular Sh588 million roads tender.
The ruling, delivered at the Milimani Law Courts, marks one of the most high-profile corruption convictions in recent years.
Waititu’s wife, Susan Wangari, was also convicted and handed a one-year jail term unless she pays a Sh500,000 fine.
Alongside them, directors of Testimony Enterprises Limited, Charles Chege and Beth Wangeci, and former Kiambu Roads official Lucas Wahinya were also found guilty.
GRAFT: FORMER Kiambu Governor Waititu fined Sh53.5m or serve 12 years in jail for receiving kicks from contractor for Sh588m road tender; barred from holding public office.
The court further barred all convicts from holding public office for the next 10 years, reinforcing the government’s stance on curbing corruption within Kenya’s leadership.
A Fall from Grace: Waititu’s Plea for Mercy
Before sentencing, Waititu made an emotional appeal, urging the court to spare him and his co-accused from severe punishment.
Through his lawyer John Swaka, the former governor argued that he had already endured enough, having lost his political career, businesses, and financial stability due to the case.
“They have lost everything—political office, money, business, and everything they had. They are flat on the mud, and the court should not break the little heart they have,” Swaka pleaded.
However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), represented by prosecutor Faith Mwila, pushed for a harsh sentence, emphasizing that a firm ruling would serve as a warning to others looking to exploit public funds.
Mwila urged the court to consider the impact of corruption on society, stating that public officials must be held accountable for their actions.
A Landmark Conviction in Kenya’s Anti-Corruption Fight
Waititu’s conviction stems from his conflict of interest in the Kiambu County road maintenance tender, where he received Sh25.6 million from Testimony Enterprises Limited, a company linked to his wife’s associates.
Prosecutors argued that the money was a kickback, a violation of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA) of 2003.
Beyond the financial penalties, the conviction sends a clear signal about the government’s intensified crackdown on graft.
In recent years, several high-profile cases have emerged, but few have resulted in substantial sentences.
The outcome of this case could set a precedent for future corruption-related trials.
While Waititu’s legal team may pursue an appeal, for now, the once-powerful governor faces a stark choice—pay the fine or spend the next 12 years behind bars.