Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been released from custody after spending nearly six months behind bars over a Ksh588 million corruption case. The High Court granted him bond as he appeals the conviction that had earlier seen him sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Waititu secured his temporary freedom on a Ksh53 million bond, pending the outcome of an appeal he filed challenging the trial court’s ruling. His legal team maintains that the lower court made serious errors in both law and fact when it found him guilty of corruption and abuse of office during his time as county boss.
Earlier in April, the High Court had given Waititu the green light to amend his appeal, allowing him to revise his original application for bail. In that filing, he had cited deteriorating health including chest pains and high blood pressure as grounds for his release, though those arguments were initially dismissed. He was held at the Industrial Area Remand Prison before being transferred.
Waititu’s conviction stemmed from irregular tender awards made during his tenure as governor, particularly in February 2018. The court had ordered him to serve five years in jail or pay a fine of Ksh2.5 million, plus a mandatory additional fine of Ksh51 million or risk another seven years in prison. The sentencing also came with a 10-year ban from holding any public office.
His wife, Susan Wangare, was also caught in the legal net. She was ordered to pay a Ksh500,000 fine or serve a one-year jail term, with the court directing that her sentence run concurrently.
In delivering the initial ruling, Milimani Anti-Corruption Court Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki stated that Waititu’s conduct was inexcusable and directly violated the principles of integrity and good governance.
The High Court will now hear arguments on the substance of the appeal, which could determine whether the former governor walks free or returns to serve his sentence.
