This archive report was first published on 31 July 2019.
Published on July 31, 2019, Nairobi — Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu and his wife Susan have spent a third night in remand prison after failing to meet their bond terms.
Waititu was ordered to pay Sh15 million cash bail or a bond of Sh30 million, while his wife was to pay Sh4 million or a bond of Sh10 million.
However, by Tuesday evening, their lawyers had not succeeded in securing their freedom, with Waititu taken to Industrial Area remand prison and his wife to Lang'ata Women's prison.
The couple, along with several others, was charged with corruption over an irregular tender worth Sh588 million, in which they allegedly received kickbacks through their company Saika Two Estate Developers Limited.
They were charged alongside directors of Testimony Enterprises Limited, Charles Chege and Beth Wangeci, as well as tender committee members and Engineer Lukas Wahinya, who is in charge of roads in the county.
Anti-Corruption Magistrate Lawrence Mugambi also ordered all of them not to set foot in the county offices until their case is heard and determined.
Waititu's lawyer, Tom Ojienda, has criticized the order and vowed to appeal, saying the ruling relied on by Justice Mumbi Ngugi did not stop him from being the governor for Kiambu.
"He was only stopped from accessing his office and can therefore choose to work from home or set up another office to do his work," Ojienda said.
Meanwhile, Kiambu Deputy Governor James Nyoro has declared that he is in charge of the county affairs.
