Waititu apologise, appeal for leniency in Ksh. 588 million graft case

An anti-corruption court in Nairobi has issued fresh sentencing directions in the Ksh588.7 million graft case involving former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu and his wife, Susan Wangari Ndung’u, after the former governor apologised for his wrongdoing and pleaded for a lighter sentence.

Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa, on Tuesday, October 27, directed that the sentencing ruling be delivered on November 2, 2026, after allowing the defence additional time to respond to submissions filed by the prosecution.

The directions were issued when Waititu, his wife and their co-accused appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court for mitigation and sentencing proceedings following a High Court decision that upheld their corruption convictions.

During the proceedings, Waititu apologised for his actions and asked the court to consider a lighter sentence, arguing that he and his wife were first-time offenders.

“I apologise for the wrong I did. My wife and I are first offenders. I urge the court to consider a lenient punishment during sentencing,” Waititu pleaded.

However, state prosecutor Vincent Monda urged the court to sentence Waititu, his wife and the other accused persons to six years in prison on each count, while the defence appealed for leniency based on their family circumstances and individual roles in the case.

Following the submissions, Magistrate Barasa gave the defence until Wednesday, October 28, to file its response to the prosecution’s submissions before the court delivers its sentencing ruling.

“The defence are directed to file their submissions in response to the prosecution’s submissions by close of business tomorrow, that’s on October 28, 2026,” Barasa directed.

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“I will reserve my ruling on sentencing, and the same will be delivered on November 2, 2026 at 11:30am. The fifth accused shall be remanded at Lang’ata Women’s Prison pending the said ruling,” the magistrate added.

The latest directions follow an earlier court appearance on October 22, when sentencing proceedings were delayed after the prosecution and defence disagreed over which accused persons should be subjected to sentencing.

The disagreement prompted Magistrate Barasa to refer the matter to the High Court through the Deputy Registrar for further directions.

The dispute arose after High Court Judge Rose Ougo upheld the convictions of Waititu, his wife and their co-accused on several corruption charges while overturning their earlier acquittal on money laundering charges.

Waititu and his co-accused were initially convicted on February 12, 2025, over offences including conflict of interest, abuse of office, dealing with suspect property, and fraudulent procurement practices arising from a Ksh588.7 million road construction contract awarded by Kiambu County during the 2017/2018 financial year.

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