This archive report was first published on 26 July 2019.
On July 26, 2019, Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji ordered the arrest of Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu and 12 others over the illegal award of a Sh. 588 million roads upgrade tender and embezzlement of county funds.
The others to be charged include Kiambu county chief roads officer Lucas Wahinya, evaluation committee members Zakary Mbugua, Joyce Musyoka, Simon Kang'ethe, Anselm Wanjiku, and Samuel Mugo. Testimony Enterprise directors Charles Mbuthia and Beth Mburu are also to be charged.
The contract was awarded to Testimony Enterprises during the 2017-18 financial year for the upgrade of gravel roads to bituminous surface in Thika, Limuru, Gatundu North, Juja, and Ruiru subcounties.
It was found that a total of Sh147.2 million had so far been irregularly paid to the firm. Furthermore, Testimony Enterprises was awarded other contracts for the provision of goods to Kiambu county by request for proposal, with a total of Sh74.2 million paid in respect of these contracts.
Once the funds were paid, Sh25.6 million was remitted to entities associated with Waititu. Part of the funds were used by Saika Two Estate Developers, a company owned by Waititu, to buy Bienvenue Delta Hotel, which is owned by the governor and his wife Wangari.
Waititu is to be charged with conflict of interest, dealing with suspect property, abuse of office, and wilful failure to comply with procurement laws. Other charges to be preferred include fraudulent acquisition of public property and money laundering.
