This archive report was first published on 20 July 2019.
On July 20, 2019, Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu's daughter Dr. Monica Njeri was set to wed Dr. Nyotu Gitau, but the union was surrounded by controversy.
The Waititu family had been making headlines for the wrong reasons, with Dr. Monica Njeri not being new to controversy herself.
Hours before the wedding, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) issued an order to close the Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club, where a reception for guests was to be held.
According to Pulselive.co.ke, confusion and frantic efforts to identify an alternative venue for the reception ensued, with organizers keen not to disappoint Waititu and his guests.
However, the couple received a reprieve on Friday after NEMA reversed its order to close the hotel for non-compliance with rules for discharging effluent.
A communication from NEMA released on Thursday had indicated that the hotel's manager had been arrested and a closure order issued.
"The hotel also failed to implement recommendations proposed to it by the authority on June 20. A closure order has also been issued," a tweet stated.
The union between Waititu's daughter and Dr. Nyotu Gitau became the subject of discussion after it emerged that the Kiambu Governor had shortlisted his soon-to-be son-in-law's father, Herman Gitau Nyotu, for the Chairman position in the Kiambu County Public Service Board.
A list prepared at the Governor's office included Mr. Gitau's name among the five candidates to be vetted by the county assembly, with critics alleging that it was a scheme by Waititu to "reward his in-law".
Dr. Monica Njeri is also at the center of graft allegations at the Kiambu County government, with the Director of Public Prosecution, Noordin Haji, approving the prosecution of Governor Waititu, his wife Susan Ndung'u, and daughter Monica Njeri.
The three are facing graft charges alongside other eight chief officers at the county and businessmen.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recommended that Waititu be charged with conflict of interest, dealing with suspect property, abuse of office involving a tender worth Ksh588 million, and fraudulent acquisition of Ksh221 million public property.
