This archive report was first published on 30 July 2019.
Kenya: Kiambu Governor Waititu Barred From Office ¶
July 30, 2019
Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, who is facing corruption charges over irregular award of tenders worth Sh588 million, has been barred from office.
On Monday, Mr Waititu, his wife Susan Wangari, and eight county staff were charged with six counts over the irregular tender.
Magistrate Lawrence Mugambi granted Mr Waititu Sh15 million cash bail but imposed tough conditions on the politician and his co-accused.
Mr Waititu and his staff were barred from accessing their places of work to ensure the integrity of the trial.
The court also ordered all accused persons to deposit their travel documents in court and directed the immigration department to confirm that some of the accused do not hold passports.
The case will be mentioned on August 26.
The alleged irregular tenders were issued during procurement for upgrading of various gravel roads to bitumen standard.
The lock-out of Mr Waititu and his staff from their offices follows a recent ruling by Justice Mumbi Ngugi affecting county bosses charged with economic crimes.
Justice Ngugi held that governors, just like other civil servants, should step aside once charged with criminal offences and their roles taken over by their deputies for the duration of the trial.
