This archive report was first published on 17 July 2019.
On July 17, 2019, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji approved the prosecution of Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, his wife Susan Wangare, and daughter Monica Njeri for graft-related charges.
The charges include conflict of interest, dealing with suspect property, abuse of office involving a tender worth Sh588 million, and fraudulent acquisition of Sh221 million public property.
According to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), preliminary investigations show that contractors paid monies to senior county officials, their companies, or relatives through proxies.
Waititu is accused of irregularly awarding tenders in Thika, Limuru, Gatundu North, Juja, and Ruiru sub-counties, attracting five bidders.
The evaluation committee recommended that the tender be awarded to Testimony Enterprise Limited at a sum of Sh588 million, but the accounting officer disregarded the committee's opinion and proceeded to award the tender and sign the contract.
The EACC findings further reveal that Sh25.4 million, part of the Sh221 million paid to the contractor, has been traced to bank accounts of companies associated with Waititu and family members.
Others facing charges include Lucas Waihinya, the county chief officer of roads, and members of a committee that evaluated the contracts, including Zacharia Njenga Mbugua, Joyce Ngina Musyoka, Simon Kabocho Kang'ethe, Anselm Gachukia Wanjiku, and Samuel Muigai Mugo.
