EACC obtains orders to freeze ksh 2 billion belonging to former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu and his family
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has obtained orders from the High Court to freeze the accounts of former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu and his family in connection to a Ksh.588 million tender scam.
In a tweet on Saturday, EACC said it got orders to freeze accounts containing unexplained wealth amounting to nearly Ksh.2 billion pending the ongoing civil suit seeking orders for forfeiture of the said assets to the State.
On Thursday, the Anti-Corruption Court delivered a ruling in one of the multiple graft cases facing Waititu, his wife Susan Wangari Ndung’u and 10 others.
“In its ruling delivered on Thursday, the Court determined that the Waititus have a case to answer in the Kes.588 million tender scam. In the previous Quarter, an additional file was forwarded to the DPP recommending prosecution of Ferdinard Waititu, his spouse and their daughter for embezzlement of public funds in Kiambu County,” EACC said.
The former governor and the co-accused persons are facing 11 counts including one count of conflict of interest, three counts of dealing with suspect property, one count of abuse of office, and one count of willful failure to comply with laws relating to procurement.
They are also facing two counts of engaging in fraudulent practices in procurement, one count of fraudulent acquisition of public properties and two counts of money laundering.
"The defense hearing is scheduled for 19th to 21st March 2024 with the pre-trial on the defense case slated for 16/11/2023," Chief Magistrate Nzyoki ruled.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) commenced investigations into Waititu and the co-accused in 2019 after receiving a complaint on the aforementioned tender in March 2017.
"In March, 2017, the County Government of Kiambu had irregularly awarded a contract for upgrading of various gravel roads to bituminous in Thika, Limuru, Gatundu North, Juja and Ruiru Sub Counties to Testimony Enterprises Limited at a contract sum of Ksh. 588 million during the financial year 2017/2018," a source revealed.
