Ex-governor Waititu jailed for graft
Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been sentenced to 12 years in prison by a Nairobi court after being found guilty of awarding fraudulent road contracts. He must also pay a KSh53 million fine and is barred from public office for 10 years, marking a significant step in Kenya's anti-graft war.
In a landmark ruling underscoring the government's anti-corruption stance, a Nairobi court has found former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu guilty of orchestrating fraudulent road contracts during his tenure. The conviction has resulted in a hefty sentence of 12 years in prison for Waititu, sending a strong message against public official misconduct.
The presiding judge delivered a stern judgment, ordering Waititu to pay a substantial fine of KSh53 million as an alternative to the full prison term. Furthermore, the court imposed a 10-year ban prohibiting him from holding any public office, effectively ending his political career for the foreseeable future. His wife, also implicated in the scandal, received a sentence of one year in prison or a smaller fine.
This case is particularly significant as Waititu becomes the second former governor to be jailed under President William Ruto’s intensified anti-corruption drive. This development signals a continued and robust enforcement effort aimed at curbing county-level graft, which has been a persistent challenge in Kenya's devolved governance system. The administration appears committed to holding accountable those who misuse public funds and betray public trust.
