Ex-Governor Waititu appeals 12-year jail term, seeks bail pending outcome

Through his lawyer, Danstan Omari, Waititu argues that he is aggrieved by the court's findings and has moved to the High Court to contest the verdict. 

In his application, he seeks to be released on bail while the appeal is heard.

He contends that the judicial process could take a considerable amount of time, and serving part or all of his sentence before the appeal is determined would render the process meaningless, causing him irreparable prejudice.

"The applicant is apprehensive about the time it will take to hear and determine the appeal. If successful, the appeal will be rendered nugatory, and the applicant will have already served part or all of the sentence," reads the court application.

Additionally, Waititu has requested that the bond security he previously deposited in Nairobi Anti-Corruption Case No. 22 be used as a continuing bond to secure his release.

His legal team maintains that he is entitled to bail, arguing that his appeal raises substantial legal questions requiring judicial review. 

They assert that his release will not interfere with the administration of justice and that he remains committed to complying with any conditions set by the court.

In the sentencing at Milimani Law Courts on Thursday, Waititu was also barred from vying for any political seat for seven years.

His wife, Susan Ndung'u, was handed a one-year prison term or a fine of Ksh. 500,000. The court convicted both on graft-related charges but acquitted them on three counts of money laundering.

Their co-accused, Testimony Enterprises Limited director Charles Chege, was sentenced to a nine-year jail term or a Ksh. 295 million fine, while Beth Wangeci, the company’s second director, was fined Ksh. 1 million or sentenced to one year in prison.