This archive report was first published on 26 August 2019.
On August 26, 2019, a Magistrate Court in Kiambu directed nine Members of the Kiambu County Assembly to make a formal request to join the graft case in which Governor Ferdinand Waititu and his wife are facing prosecution over an irregular Sh588 million tender award.
Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti gave the directive after the court was told that the nine wanted to join the case individually.
While the defense opposed the move, the magistrate asked the MCAs to make their request formal as required by law.
“File a formal application showing intention to join this case,” the magistrate said.
The case involves Governor Waititu and his wife, who are accused of knowingly acquiring an indirect private interest in the contracts awarded to Testimony Enterprises Ltd by his county government.
They allegedly made irregular payments of Sh25,624,500 between July 2, 2018, and March 13, 2019.
During the same period, Governor Waititu allegedly paid himself Sh18,410,500 from Testimony Enterprises Ltd through corrupt conduct.
Together with his wife, they are separately accused of dealing with suspect property by paying themselves Sh7,214,000 through their other company, Bienvenue Delta Hotel.
The case is set to come for pre-trial on September 27, 2019.
