The High Court has ordered the seizure of assets worth Sh76.2 million connected to former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, along with the recovery of a Sh3 million land parcel registered under his wife’s name, after determining the properties constituted unexplained wealth.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, December 19, Justice Nixon Sifuna partially upheld a civil suit brought by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which sought to recover assets allegedly acquired during Waititu’s time in public office.
The judge concluded that the anti-graft agency had established a prima facie case demonstrating that numerous assets linked to Waititu lacked satisfactory explanations for their acquisition, including land and movable properties valued at Sh76.2 million.
“Having been determined to be unexplained wealth, it is hereby ordered that they be forfeited to the Kenyan government,” Justice Sifuna declared.
Waititu’s Sh1.9 Billion Empire on the Line Friday | Streamline Feed | Streamline
However, the court rejected EACC’s application to forfeit funds in various bank accounts associated with Waititu, his wife, and related companies.
Justice Sifuna ruled that the commission’s claims regarding these accounts were inadequately pleaded and lacked sufficient evidentiary support.
“I have found nothing on record to fault the bank accounts,” the judge stated, noting that while a prima facie case had been established for certain assets, the same standard had not been met concerning the funds.
Waititu and his wife contested the suit throughout, insisting that all properties were lawfully obtained.
While EACC had initially sought the recovery of assets valued at Sh1.9 billion, the court granted forfeiture only for the specific properties identified as unexplained wealth.
By Star