Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been sentenced to 12 years in prison in a corruption case. According to reports, he has the option of paying a fine of Ksh 53.5 million instead of serving the full sentence. His wife, Susan Ndungâu, was also found guilty and sentenced to one year in jail or a fine of Ksh 500,000.
The ruling was delivered following a long legal battle over corruption allegations. Waititu was accused of irregularly awarding tenders worth millions during his time as governor. The court found that he was guilty of engaging in fraudulent activities that led to the loss of public funds.
This conviction is one of the highest-profile corruption cases in Kenyaâs recent history. It signals a strong message from the judiciary about the fight against corruption. The case has been closely followed, as Waititu was a key political figure in Kiambu before his impeachment in 2020.
His wife, Susan, was also implicated in the scandal, with the court ruling that she benefited from the irregular deals. While her sentence is lighter, the conviction highlights the involvement of close family members in corruption cases.
This ruling has sparked mixed reactions. Some Kenyans believe that the punishment is justified, arguing that corruption has crippled development in the country. Others feel that powerful individuals often manage to escape harsher consequences by paying fines.
The former governorâs legal team may appeal the ruling, meaning the case might not be over yet. However, this verdict sets a precedent for similar corruption cases involving high profile politicians.
By Nairobi