NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Ndung’u Waititu and five other individuals and companies have been slapped with fines totalling Sh117 million following their convictions on money laundering charges linked to a Sh588 million county roads tender.
The Milimani Anti-Corruption Court imposed the penalties on Monday, November 2, 2026, after the High Court reinstated the money laundering charges against Waititu, his wife Susan Wangari Ndung’u and other co-accused in a case arising from the award of a road construction contract during the 2017/2018 financial year.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which investigated the case, welcomed the sentencing, describing it as a milestone in efforts to hold individuals and companies accountable for proceeds of corruption.
According to the Commission, the latest penalties include fines of Sh21 million against Waititu, Sh28 million against businessman Charles Chege Mbuthia, Sh6 million against Beth Wangechi Mburu and Sh2 million against Susan Wangari.
Two companies linked to the case, Testimony Enterprises Limited and Saika Two Estate Developers Limited, were fined Sh36 million and Sh24 million respectively.
The corporate entities were ordered to pay their fines within 14 days, failing which the amounts will be recovered in accordance with Section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Waititu’s Cumulative Fine Rises to Sh73.7 Million
The latest money laundering penalties are additional to the sentences imposed in February 2025, when Waititu and his co-accused were convicted of corruption-related offences arising from the same road tender.
The EACC says Waititu’s cumulative fine now stands at Sh73,749,000, with a default custodial term of 13 years.
Susan Wangari’s cumulative fine rises to Sh2.5 million, while Beth Wangechi’s increases to Sh7.4 million.
For Charles Chege Mbuthia, the Commission puts the cumulative fine at Sh325,048,110, with a default custodial term of 13 years.
The EACC said the default prison terms arising from the money laundering convictions will run concurrently with the earlier sentences, in line with directions issued by the High Court.
Waititu had previously received a 12-year prison sentence over the corruption and procurement offences. The additional money laundering sentences therefore do not automatically translate into a further 13 years being added consecutively to his existing term.
How the Sh588 Million Roads Tender Scandal Began
The case stems from investigations launched by the EACC in 2019 following allegations that the Kiambu County Government irregularly awarded Testimony Enterprises Limited a contract worth approximately Sh588 million.
The contract involved upgrading gravel roads to bitumen standards in Thika, Limuru, Gatundu North, Juja and Ruiru sub-counties.
The works were undertaken during the 2017/2018 financial year, when Waititu was governor.
On February 12, 2025, the Anti-Corruption Court convicted Waititu and several co-accused of offences including conflict of interest, dealing with suspected property, abuse of office, fraudulent procurement practices and wilful failure to comply with procurement laws.
The convictions were subsequently challenged before the High Court.
High Court Reinstated Money Laundering Convictions
In a judgment delivered on October 14, 2026, High Court Judge Rose Ougo upheld the corruption-related convictions and overturned the earlier acquittals on money laundering charges.
The decision reinstated the charges against Waititu, his wife and the other accused persons, paving the way for the latest sentencing proceedings.
The court directed that sentences imposed for the money laundering counts should run concurrently with those imposed for the offences under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.
The ruling also revoked bond arrangements for the affected convicts, with Waititu and the other male accused ordered to remain in custody.
EACC Links Sentencing to Kenya’s FATF Commitments
The EACC said the case demonstrates the importance of tracing and recovering proceeds of corruption, particularly where public contracts are allegedly used to channel money through businesses and associated entities.
The Commission also linked the outcome to Kenya’s efforts to address deficiencies identified by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as the country works towards exiting the organisation’s increased-monitoring list, commonly known as the grey list.
