Born on January 1, 1962, Ferdinand Waititu began his political journey back in 2002 when he was elected councilor for Njiru Ward.
The vocal politician also held the position of Nairobi Deputy mayor before serving as assistant minister in the ministry of water and irrigation during retired President Mwai Kibaki’s regime.
Waititu later served as a Member of Parliament for Embakasi between 2008 and 2013 but was suspended from his government job over claims of incitement and hate speech.
Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu boasts a vast investment portfolio, one that includes various real estate holdings in and around the capital, Nairobi. Among his properties is Bienvenue Delta Hotel, a budget hotel located along University Way.
It emerged last year that Waititu had purchased the hotel for Ksh380 million. In a graft case in which he is accused of getting kickbacks from Kiambu county contractors, the hotel was identified as being among Waititu’s properties, with evidence of multiple acquisition transactions presented.
It currently costs around Ksh4,000 to spend a night at the six-storey hotel. It boasts a prime location in the heart of the city close to numerous attractions, including parks, museums, bars and restaurants in the city. The hotel also incorporates a shared lounge and bar.
It came into focus after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) linked Waititu’s acquisition of the property to alleged proceeds of corruption during his time as Kiambu Governor.
A money trail uncovered by the sleuths indicated that that the company that sold Waititu the Delta Hotel received Ksh6 million from a road contractor who was awarded the tender under alleged influence of the governor.
Three companies owned by Waititu, his wife Susan Wangari and their daughter Monica Njeri allegedly received kickbacks worth millions of shillings for irregularly awarded road tenders worth Ksh588 million.
By Businesstoday