Waititu failed to safeguard public funds — Court
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Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu and his wife, Susan Wangari, have been found guilty of fraud in connection with the improper award of a KES588 million
Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu and his wife, Susan Wangari, have been found guilty of fraud in connection with the improper award of a KES588 million road construction contract.
For the last five years, the ex-county boss and his co-accused have been fighting charges of fraud, conflict of interest, money laundering, abuse of office, and dealings with suspicious property.
Waititu was convicted by Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzyoki alongside his wife Susan Wangari Ndungu, Luka Mwangi Wahinya (former Chief Officer, Roads, Transport, Public Works and Utilities) Charles Chege Mbuthia and Beth Wangeci Mburu who are the Directors of Testimony Enterprises Limited, Testimony Enterprises Limited, Saika Two Estate Developers Limited, and Bienvenue Delta Hotel.
''With regards to those offenses as charged, I find the accused persons guilty as charged,'' Chief Magistrate Nzioki ruled.
The Magistrate based his ruling on 12 accounts, most of which he found that the former Governor, together with his co-accused, were liable for subversion of the law. “Waititu failed the oath of office and to safeguard public funds,” the Magistrate added.
However, the Chief Magistrate, who initially found the accused with a case to answer in September 2022, ruled that Waititu, along with his wife and other county officials were not guilty of money laundering charges.
''With regards to the offence of money laundering, contrary to section 311 in Roman as read with 16 and accounts 10, 11 and 13, I find the accused persons not guilty and I acquit them under the provision of section 215.