WAITITU HANDED 13-YEAR JAIL TERM

Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been handed an additional 13-year prison sentence or an alternative fine of KSh21 million over his involvement in a KSh588.7 million road construction tender scandal that rocked Kiambu County during his tenure.

The sentence was delivered on Monday, November 2, 2026, by Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, following the reinstatement of money laundering charges that had previously resulted in his acquittal.

The latest penalties stem from three counts linked to the controversial procurement of a road construction contract awarded to Testimony Enterprises Limited during the 2017/2018 financial year.

Under the ruling, Waititu was fined KSh10 million on Count 10, with a five-year prison term in default. On Count 11, he was fined KSh6 million or four years in prison, while Count 12 attracted a KSh5 million fine or another four-year jail term.

The penalties bring his total fines to KSh21 million, with the alternative custodial sentences adding up to 13 years.

However, the former governor will not serve the latest sentences consecutively with his existing jail term. The court directed that they run concurrently with the 12-year sentence imposed in February 2025, meaning the new prison terms will be served alongside his earlier sentence rather than extending it by another 13 years.

The court also referred to directions issued by High Court Judge Rose Ougo in her October 14, 2026 ruling, which required the sentences on the money laundering counts to run concurrently with those previously imposed under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.

The case revolves around a KSh588.7 million contract awarded to Testimony Enterprises Limited to upgrade gravel roads to bitumen standards across Thika, Limuru, Gatundu North, Juja and Ruiru.

Investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which began in 2019 following a complaint, uncovered allegations of irregular procurement, conflict of interest, abuse of office and the movement of public funds through businesses associated with the accused.

The prosecution established that Waititu indirectly benefited from KSh25.6 million paid through his company, Saika Two Estate Developers Limited.

His wife, Susan Wangari Ndung'u, was also implicated after Bienvenue Delta Hotel, her business, received KSh7.214 million from the contractor.

Other individuals implicated in the scandal included former Kiambu County Chief Officer for Roads, Transport, Public Works and Utilities Luka Mwangi Wahinya, businessman Charles Mbuthia Chege and Beth Wangeci Mburu, who were linked to the procurement and financial transactions.

Investigators also examined allegations that Testimony Enterprises had submitted forged academic certificates for technical personnel as part of the documentation used to secure the lucrative county contract.

Waititu was not the only person to face additional penalties following the ruling.

His wife, Susan Wangari, received a KSh2 million fine or a two-year prison term on Count 11. She was also subjected to financial penalties on Counts 10 and 12, bringing the total fines reported across the three counts to KSh22 million.

The other accused persons and companies similarly received separate penalties.

Saika Two Estate Developers Limited and Testimony Enterprises Limited were each fined KSh16 million on Count 10, while businessman Charles Mbuthia Chege received a KSh10 million fine or five years in prison. Beth Wangeci Mburu was fined KSh2 million or two years in default.

On Count 11, Chege was fined KSh6 million or four years in prison, while Mburu received a KSh2 million fine or two years in default. Testimony Enterprises was fined KSh12 million.

For Count 12, Saika Two Estate Developers and Testimony Enterprises were each fined KSh8 million. Chege was fined KSh5 million or four years in prison, while Mburu received another KSh2 million fine or two years in default.

The court directed the corporate accused persons to settle their respective fines within 14 days, failure to which recovery proceedings would follow under the Criminal Procedure Code.

Waititu's latest sentence marks another significant chapter in a corruption case that has haunted his political career since his days as Kiambu governor.

The scandal had earlier contributed to his historic impeachment by the Kiambu County Assembly in December 2019, making him the first sitting governor in Kenya to be removed through impeachment.

After years of court proceedings, he was convicted in February 2025 and sentenced to 12 years in prison or an alternative fine of KSh52.7 million.

His subsequent appeal suffered a major setback on October 14, 2026, when Justice Rose Ougo upheld the conviction, dismissed his challenge to the original sentence and overturned earlier acquittals on the money laundering charges.

The ruling also paved the way for the fresh sentencing delivered on Monday. Waititu's bail was revoked following the appeal decision, leaving him in custody as the legal proceedings continued.

During mitigation, the former governor reportedly expressed remorse and apologised to the court, asking for leniency. His defence also cited his status as a first-time offender and appealed for consideration of his family, particularly his minor children, arguing that having both parents incarcerated would place them in a difficult situation.

His lawyers further maintained that his wife had been a silent partner in the business and had no active role or signing authority over the relevant bank accounts.

Beyond the criminal proceedings, Waititu and his family have also faced significant asset recovery efforts by the state.

The EACC previously secured orders freezing assets worth approximately KSh1.94 billion linked to the former governor and his family, citing a disparity between his known legitimate income and the wealth accumulated during his time in public office.

The assets reportedly included 18 parcels of land in areas such as Runda, Migaa Estate, Thindigua and Nairobi's Central Business District, seven luxury vehicles, a tractor and bank accounts that transacted close to KSh1 billion.

In December 2025, the court ordered the forfeiture of assets worth approximately KSh131.2 million to the state. These included two prime plots in Thindigua valued at KSh32 million each, a Caterpillar earthmover worth KSh11 million, luxury vehicles and properties in Kajiado.

The court also barred Waititu from collecting rental income from Delta Hotel.

Once a powerful political figure popularly known as 'Baba Yao', Waititu rose to prominence as Kabete MP before winning the Kiambu gubernatorial seat in 2017. His political fortunes, however, took a dramatic turn following the corruption investigations, impeachment and subsequent criminal convictions.

The latest ruling adds further financial and legal consequences to the former governor's downfall, with his existing 12-year sentence remaining the principal custodial term he is required to serve.