This archive report was first published on 5 August 2019.
On Monday, prosecutor Alexander Muteti made a submission in the Ksh.588 million graft case against Governor Ferdinand Waititu, suggesting that the embattled Kiambu county boss should receive half pay.
The suggestion comes after Governor Waititu moved to court for a review of orders barring him from accessing his office.
Waititu's lawyer, Prof. Tom Ojienda, also argued that the Ksh.15 million cash bail and Ksh.30 million bond he was released on were excessive.
Prof. Ojienda cited a case where former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich was facing charges of misappropriation of over Ksh.60 billion but was released on a cash bail of Ksh.15 million.
“There is fragrant abuse of discretion by the lower court. It is no longer clear what guides courts in granting bond or the option of cash bail,” said Ojienda.
On July 24, 2019, High Court Judge Mumbi Ngugi ruled that elected executives cannot continue to attend office when facing corruption-related charges.
Following this ruling, Kiambu Deputy Governor James Nyoro took charge of operations in the county.
Prosecution, however, dismissed the argument to have Waititu's bail terms reviewed, stating that “serious offences attract serious sanctions.”
