Waititu has been handed a 13-year prison sentence or a combined fine of Ksh.21 million in the Ksh.588.7 million Kiambu road tender corruption case.
Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu was sentenced on Monday by Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court in Nairobi.
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Waititu handed three separate penalties
The court imposed penalties on three counts arising from the procurement case.
On one count, Waititu was fined Ksh.10 million or ordered to serve five years in prison if he fails to pay.
He was also fined Ksh.6 million on another count, with a four-year default prison term.
A third count attracted a Ksh.5 million fine or another four years in prison.
Together, the default prison terms amount to 13 years, while the total fines come to Ksh.21 million.
Case linked to Ksh.588.7M road contract
The case stems from a Ksh.588.7 million road construction contract awarded by the Kiambu County Government during the 2017/2018 financial year.
Waititu and his co-accused had been convicted of offenses including abuse of office, conflict of interest, dealing with suspect property and fraudulent procurement practices.
The High Court recently upheld the convictions and also reinstated money-laundering charges that had earlier been dismissed by the trial court.
Waititu had asked court for leniency
Before sentencing, Waititu apologized to the court and asked for a lighter punishment.
He told the court that he and his wife, Susan Wangari Ndung’u, were first-time offenders and urged the magistrate to take that into account.
The prosecution had pushed for tougher custodial sentences, while the defence asked the court to consider the personal circumstances of the accused.
Co-accused also sentenced
Waititu’s wife and other people linked to the case were also sentenced.
Companies involved in the case were fined and given 14 days to comply with the court’s orders.
The parties have 14 days to appeal the sentencing decision.
