EACC welcomes sentencing of Waititu, co-accused in Ksh.117M money laundering case

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has welcomed the sentencing of former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu and three other individuals in a money laundering case linked to a Ksh.588 million county roads contract.

Waititu was fined Ksh.21 million, with a default sentence of 13 years in prison, while his wife, Susan Wangari Ndung’u, was fined Ksh.2 million or two years in prison. However, the 13 years will run concurrently, meaning he will serve 5 years in prison.

The Ksh.21 million fine comprises Ksh.10 million in Count 10, Ksh.6 million in Count 11 and Ksh.5 million in Count 12.

The other accused, Charles Chege Mbuthia and Beth Wangechi Mburu, who are directors of Testimony Enterprises Limited, were fined Ksh.28 million and Ksh.6 million, respectively. Mbuthia faces 13 years in prison in default, while Mburu faces six years.

The court also fined Testimony Enterprises Limited Ksh.36 million and Saika Two Estate, a company owned by Waititu and his wife, Ksh.24 million, bringing the total fines imposed on the individuals and companies to Ksh.117 million.

The sentences followed a High Court decision delivered on October 14, 2026, which reinstated money laundering charges against the four individuals.

The case stems from EACC investigations launched in 2019 into allegations that the Kiambu County Government irregularly awarded Testimony Enterprises Limited a Ksh.588 million contract to upgrade gravel roads to bitumen standards in Thika, Limuru, Gatundu North, Juja and Ruiru during the 2017/2018 financial year.

Waititu and his co-accused were initially convicted on February 12, 2025, of various offences, including conflict of interest, dealing with suspected property, abuse of office, fraudulent procurement practices and wilful failure to comply with procurement laws.

During mitigation proceedings on October 27, Waititu and his co-accused sought leniency, citing their family circumstances, roles in the companies linked to the case and status as first-time offenders.

Waititu apologised to the court and asked for a reduced sentence, saying he and his wife were first-time offenders.

“I apologise for whatever wrong I did. I am a first offender together with my wife, so when sentencing, please consider that,” Waititu told the court.

He also asked the court to consider his wife's limited involvement in Delta Hotel, arguing that the business had directors and that she was not directly involved in its day-to-day operations.

The latest money laundering penalties add to the sentences imposed in the original case. However, the High Court ordered the custodial sentences to run concurrently, meaning the prison terms would overlap rather than be served consecutively.

Under the cumulative penalties, Waititu faces fines totalling Ksh.73.749 million or 13 years in prison in default. His wife faces Ksh.2.5 million or two years, while Mbuthia faces Ksh.325.048 million or 13 years. Mburu faces Ksh.7.4 million or six years.

The court further directed Testimony Enterprises Limited and Saika Two Estate to pay their respective fines within 14 days, failure to do so, the amounts will be recovered under Section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Code.