Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Corruption

Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been sentenced to 12 years in prison or pay a fine of Ksh53.5 million after being found guilty of corruption-related charges. Milimani Anti-Corruption Court Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki delivered the ruling on Thursday, citing breaches of public trust and deliberate misconduct.

Waititu’s wife, Susan Wangare, was also sentenced to a year in prison or a fine of Ksh500,000. However, the court directed that the terms would run concurrently. Additionally, the court barred Waititu, his wife, and other co-accused individuals from holding any public office for the next ten years.

Breach of Public Trust

Magistrate Nzioki emphasized that Waititu’s actions undermined good governance, stating that his offenses were deliberate and driven by personal enrichment at the expense of the public.

“This case is a typical example of a breach of public trust by the former Governor and the co-accused. The offending acts were inexcusable and undermined the tenets of good governance,” Nzioki ruled.

Waititu was found guilty of multiple charges, including conflict of interest, unlawful award of tenders without the approval of the Kiambu County Assembly, and forgery of documents.

Forgery and Unemployment Crisis

The court also raised concerns about the forgery of academic credentials among the accused, particularly at a time when many young graduates struggle to find employment.

“A matter of concern to me is the deliberate misrepresentation and forgery of academic credentials, especially when young people are struggling with unemployment,” Nzioki noted.

Right to Appeal

Despite the guilty verdict, the court granted Waititu and his co-accused a 14-day window to appeal both the ruling and sentencing. Furthermore, Nzioki ordered that documents confiscated during investigations—including passports, cash bail, and title deeds—be returned to the accused.

Background of the Case

The sentencing follows Wednesday’s ruling where Waititu and his co-accused were found guilty of corruption-related offenses, including conflict of interest and dealing with suspect property. During mitigation, the convicted individuals pleaded for a non-custodial sentence, arguing that they had suffered enough since their initial arraignment and deserved a second chance.

Waititu, who was impeached as Kiambu Governor in 2020, has been a controversial figure in Kenyan politics, often facing allegations of graft and misuse of public funds. His sentencing marks a significant step in the country’s anti-corruption fight, setting a precedent for accountability among public officials.