This archive report was first published on 21 October 2019.
On Sunday, October 20, 2019, Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu's troubles seemed far from over as he was asked to vacate a seat at the podium in Mombasa during Mashujaa Day celebrations.
According to sources, the organisers were under strict instructions not to allow leaders battling cases in court or under active investigations to the VIP podium, where the other leaders had reserved seats.
State House had given the order, with President Uhuru Kenyatta keen on avoiding leaders facing court cases or under active investigations, as he had stated earlier.
Waititu's woes stem from corruption-related charges he is facing in court, including irregular award of Sh588 million contracts for roads repair, conflict of interest, dealing with suspect property, money laundering, and abuse of office.
He has denied the charges alongside his wife Susan Wangari Ndun'gu, seven county employees, and a businessman.
This was not the first time Waititu faced such treatment, as he was also kept in check by the presidential security team during the launch of the Standard Gauge Railway in Suswa, where he was denied access or a photo opportunity with President Kenyatta.
