Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been released from prison on a KSh 53 million bond. This is nearly six months after he began serving a 12-year sentence for corruption.
The High Court granted the bond as he continues to challenge both his conviction and sentence in an ongoing appeal.
Waititu was convicted in February for irregularly awarding tenders worth KSh 588 million during his tenure as county boss. The Milimani Anti-Corruption Court sentenced him to five years in jail or a fine of KSh 2.5 million. In addition to a mandatory penalty of KSh 51 million or an extra seven years behind bars if unpaid.
His wife, Susan Wangare, was also implicated and fined KSh 500,000 or face a one-year jail term. The court ruled that the couple’s sentences would run concurrently.
While the trial court had earlier rejected bail requests citing the gravity of the offense. Waititu’s legal team returned to the High Court in April with an amended appeal and fresh bail application.
They cited procedural errors during the trial and highlighted his deteriorating health. These errors includes chest pains and high blood pressure, as grounds for bond. This time, the court ruled in his favor.
Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki, who delivered the original ruling, condemned Waititu’s actions as gross violations of public trust and governance ethics.
Waititu’s release offers him a temporary reprieve, but legal hurdles remain as the appeal process unfolds. The High Court is yet to determine whether his conviction will be upheld or overturned.
While now free, the former governor’s fate continues to hang in the balance, with the outcome of the appeal likely to shape his political and legal future.