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Spotlight, the Nairobi Anti-Corruption Court has ruled that former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu aka Baba Yao and his wife Susan Wangari Ndung’u must answer to charges related to a fraudulent tender worth Kes.588 million.
The court’s decision extends to the Director of Testimony Enterprises Limited, Charles Chege, and his wife Beth Wangeci, who are involved in the same scandal.
Chief Magistrate Timothy Nzioki asserted that the prosecution had successfully presented a prima facie case against the accused parties, prompting the court to require them to present their defense.
The charges brought against the accused include conflict of interest, dealing with suspect property, abuse of office, money laundering, engaging in fraudulent procurement practices, and willful failure to comply with procurement laws and regulations. These allegations stem from their actions in July 2019 when they were arrested and arraigned by the EACC, with the approval of the DPP.
The accused will have the opportunity to defend themselves in court from March 18th to 21st, 2024, after which the Court will deliver its judgment.
This decision follows a similar ruling in a separate case, where the Anti-Corruption Court found former Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal with a case to answer regarding a Kes. 84.7 million graft case. Lenolkulal was charged with abuse of office, conflict of interest, and unlawful acquisition of public property for trading with the Samburu County Government through his company, Oryx Service Station.
Apart from these criminal cases, the EACC is pursuing active civil suits to recover suspected stolen public funds from both Waititu and Lenolkulal. The High Court has also issued orders freezing Waititu’s unexplained wealth valued at Kes.1.9 billion.
