Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been granted permission by the High Court to amend his appeal seeking release on bail, offering him a renewed opportunity to challenge his incarceration stemming from a high-profile corruption case.
Waititu, who is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence or alternatively a fine of Ksh.52.5 million, was convicted in connection with a Ksh.588 million graft case involving conflict of interest. The court found that the former county chief had improperly benefited from public contracts awarded to companies associated with him, violating public trust and procurement laws.
Earlier, Waititu had filed a petition challenging the conviction and simultaneously applied for bail pending the determination of the appeal. However, the court rejected his initial bail application, stating that the appeal would be fast-tracked and heard expeditiously.
In a fresh development, Waititu returned to court with a request to amend his original petition. He argued for the inclusion of new evidence and additional legal grounds that could support his bid for bail and possibly reverse the conviction. The court, after considering the request, granted him leave to make the amendments, setting the stage for a potentially pivotal legal battle in the coming weeks.
Waititu’s wife, Susan Ndung’u, who was charged alongside him, was handed a one-year prison term or a fine of Ksh.500,000 for her involvement in the same case.
In addition to the prison sentence and fine, Waititu has been barred from holding any public office or contesting for an elective position for a period of seven years, a ruling that significantly affects his political future.
This case has drawn national attention as part of Kenya’s broader fight against corruption, highlighting the consequences for public officials found culpable. As Waititu prepares his amended appeal, all eyes will be on the courts to see whether new evidence will sway the judicial process in his favor, or if the initial ruling will be upheld.
