Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been sentenced to 12 years in prison or pay a fine of Sh53.5 million after being found guilty of corruption-related charges. His wife, Susan Wangari, was also convicted and ordered to pay a fine of Sh500,000 or serve one year in jail. Additionally, all convicts have been barred from holding any public office for ten years.
The sentencing was delivered by Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki on Thursday, February 13, 2025. The case revolved around the fraudulent award of a Sh588 million tender for upgrading various gravel roads to bituminous standards in Thika, Limuru, Gatundu North, Juja, and Ruiru sub-counties during the 2017-2018 financial year. The tender was awarded to Testimony Enterprises Ltd, a company owned by Charles Chege and his wife, Beth Wangeci Mburu.
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Investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) revealed that Waititu, through his company Saika Two Estate Developers Ltd, received over Sh25 million from Testimony Enterprises Ltd as a kickback following the tender award. This amount was channeled through his company and Bienvenue Delta Hotel, owned by his wife. The court found this to be a clear case of conflict of interest and abuse of office.
In addition to Waititu and his wife, several other individuals were convicted including Charles Chege, Director of Testimony Enterprises Ltd, who was ordered to pay a fine of Sh295 million or serve nine years in prison, Beth Wangeci Mburu, Chege’s wife, was fined Sh1.4 million or two years in prison and Lucas Wahinya, former Chief Officer for Roads in Kiambu County, was fined Sh21 million or seven years in prison.
The court determined that Wahinya improperly awarded the contract to Testimony Enterprises Ltd, disregarding procurement laws and procedures. The directors of Testimony Enterprises Ltd were also found guilty of incorporating forged degree certificates for technical staff in their bid submission and fraudulently acquiring Sh147 million from the county government.
This case highlights the Kenyan government’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and hold public officials accountable for the misappropriation of public funds. The convictions serve as a stern warning to public servants about the consequences of engaging in corrupt practices.
Following the sentencing, Waititu requested to be escorted to the hospital, but Magistrate Nzioki directed that prison authorities handle the matter. The convicts were subsequently escorted to the Industrial Area Prison to begin their sentences.
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