Former Governor Waititu Faces Extended Time in Prison Custody

Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu will remain in custody for another month following a ruling by High Court Judge Lucy Njuguna. The embattled ex-governor is set to stay behind bars until April 23, when the court will decide whether to allow an amendment to his appeal.

Waititu had filed a fresh application on March 18, seeking release on bond as he serves a 12-year jail sentence handed down by the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on February 13, 2025. He was found guilty of illegally awarding a tender during his tenure as Kiambu County Governor.

The court had imposed a dual sentence: a five-year jail term or a fine of Ksh2.5 million, along with a mandatory fine of Ksh51 million. Failure to pay the latter would result in an additional seven years in prison. His wife, Susan Wangari, was also convicted and ordered to pay Ksh500,000 or serve one year in jail, with both sentences running concurrently.

The court maintained that Waititu’s actions violated principles of good governance. His appeal for bail, based on health concerns including chest pains and high blood pressure, was denied after the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) successfully opposed it.

During today’s court appearance, Waititu was accompanied by Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa in a show of political solidarity.

The corruption scandal also implicated Luka Mwangi Wahinya, former Chief Officer for Roads, who was sentenced to two years in jail or a fine of Ksh1 million, alongside additional fines totaling Ksh20 million. Directors of Testimony Enterprises Limited, Charles Chege Mbuthia and Beth Wangeci Mburu, received fines and jail terms ranging from Ksh2 million to Ksh294 million.