- The High Court has allowed the release of former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu after reviewing his bail conditions while continuing his appeal in his corruption case
- Waititu’s lawyer told the court that the former county governor has already gained his freedom following the amendment of bail conditions granted by Judge Winfrida Okwany
- The court set the new bail conditions to be KSh 20 million in cash or two sureties with assets worth at least KSh 30 million each
The former governor of Kiambu Ferdinand Waititu he has been released from prison after the High Court re-evaluated his bail conditions while continuing his appeal in the KSh 588 million corruption case.
Source: UGC
The development emerged on Thursday, March 5, when the case was mentioned before the High Court Division dealing with Corruption and Economic Crimes in Nairobi.
Is Waititu now a free man?
Waititu’s lawyer, Jeremy Njenga, told the court that the former county governor had already been able to secure his freedom after the bail conditions were amended.
“I represent the appeal on behalf of the plaintiff who is now a free person due to your instructions,” Njenga told the court.
Waititu was held in the Maximum Committee Security Prison after being convicted in relation to the illegal awarding of a road tender worth millions of shillings when he was the governor of Kiambu.
His release follows a February 18 decision by Judge Winfrida Okwany, who granted his request to have his bail conditions reviewed pending the hearing and determination of his appeal.
Why did the court review Waititu’s bail conditions?
In his ruling, Justice Okwany reversed the earlier conditions that required Waititu to provide a bank guarantee as part of his bail.
Instead, the court set a bail of KSh 20 million in cash or the option of two sureties with assets worth not less than KSh 30 million each.
The bonds should be verified and approved by the Deputy Registrar of the court.
As part of the new conditions, the court also ordered Waititu to keep his passport in court until his appeal is heard and decided.
Through his team of lawyers, the former governor said he was finding it challenging to meet the initial bail conditions, especially the requirement to provide a bank guarantee.
His lawyers told the court that more than seven months had passed since the initial orders were issued, but he still had not been able to obtain the bank guarantee required for his release.
The defense also submitted that Waititu had already been granted bail in principle and that the main issue before the court was whether the existing conditions were still appropriate under the existing circumstances.
Source: Facebook
However, the request was opposed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
State lawyer Mwamburi told the court that the prosecution opposed the request, saying the applicant did not demonstrate the legal standard required to justify a review of the original bail conditions.
Despite the opposition, the High Court eventually granted the request and changed the bail conditions, a move that paved the way for Waititu’s release as he continues to challenge his sentence and punishment.
When was Waititu imprisoned?
The former governor was convicted in February 2025 regarding the illegal awarding of a tender for the construction of a KSh 588 million road in the County of Kiambu County.
The case concerned allegations that the contract was illegally awarded to Testimony Enterprises Limited.
After being convicted, the trial court found Waititu guilty of failing to protect public funds and he was ordered to pay a fine of KSh 53.5 million or serve 12 years in prison.
Read ENGLISH VERSION
Do you have an exciting story that you would like us to publish? Please contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
