The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has filed a cross-appeal seeking to overturn the acquittal of former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu and several co-accused in a high-profile corruption case. The move comes after a lower court dismissed the money laundering charges against Waititu and others, a decision the DPP now challenges, arguing that it was based on flawed legal reasoning and inadequate evaluation of evidence.
In the cross-appeal, the DPP is urging the appellate court to convict the accused and impose appropriate penalties. “In respect to count 12, reverse the acquittal against the 1st, 4th, 5th, 11th, and 12th accused persons, enter a conviction against each of them, and impose a sentence as prescribed by law,” the appeal reads.
The case, which has been ongoing for years, centers on allegations of corruption, misappropriation of public funds, and financial misconduct during Waititu’s tenure as Kiambu Governor. The prosecution asserts that substantial evidence was presented in court to support a conviction for money laundering but was not adequately considered by the trial magistrate.
The DPP argues that the trial court failed to properly assess the evidence linking Waititu and his co-accused to illicit financial activities. According to the prosecution, the ruling overlooked crucial financial transactions that pointed to the unlawful movement of public funds. The appeal now seeks a thorough review of the ruling and the imposition of legal penalties should a conviction be secured.
On the other hand, Waititu has already filed an appeal challenging his conviction on other charges and is seeking bail pending appeal. The former governor maintains that he was wrongfully convicted and insists on his innocence. His legal team argues that the case against him is politically motivated and lacks merit.
This legal battle marks yet another twist in Waititu’s tumultuous political and legal career. Having been impeached as Kiambu Governor in 2020 over corruption allegations, he has since faced multiple legal challenges. The latest development in his case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of corruption cases involving high-profile politicians in Kenya.
As the case heads to the appellate court, all eyes will be on how the judiciary navigates the competing legal arguments. The outcome could set a significant precedent in Kenya’s fight against corruption, particularly regarding the accountability of public officials accused of financial misconduct.
