By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
The Nairobi Anti-Corruption Court is scheduled to issue a ruling today, Wednesday, 12th February 2025, in a corruption case involving former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, famously referred to as Babayao.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Waititu, along with his wife Susan Wangari Ndungu, former transport manager Luka Mwangi Wahinya, and others including Charles Chege Mbuthia, Beth Wangeci Mburu, Testimony Enterprises Limited, Saika Two Estate Developers Limited, and Bienvenue Delta Hotel, faces charges related to the improper awarding of road tenders amounting to Ksh 588 million in Kiambu County in February 2018.
On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, the Chief Magistrate, Hon. Thomas Nzyoki, issued a summons for Waititu due to his absence from court. The Chief Magistrate has mandated that Waititu must appear in person on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. when the judgement will be delivered.
“The Chief Magistrate, Hon. Thomas Nzyoki, today issued a summons against Waititu after he failed to appear in court and directed that he appear in court physically on Wednesday, 12th February 2025, at 9:30 a.m. when the judgement will be delivered,” the ODPP noted.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions reported that the accused persons were found with a case to answer after 32 prosecution witnesses testified, and 129 exhibits were produced.
“Ferdinand Waititu and his co-accused face separate charges of conflict of interest, abuse of office, engaging in fraudulent practices in procurement, fraudulent acquisition of public property, and money laundering,” said the ODPP.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Vincent Monda, Principal Prosecution Counsels Linda Mwamburi and Faith Mwila, and Prosecution Counsel Delroy Mwasaru.