Former Kiambu County Governor Ferdinand Waititu, popularly known as Baba Yao, has been convicted of conflict of interest in a Ksh. 588 million road tender corruption case.
The court found that Waititu illicitly gained over Ksh. 25.6 million through Testimony Enterprises Limited by routing funds through his business while serving as governor.
Waititu faced multiple graft-related charges alongside his wife, Susan Wangari, and Testimony Enterprises directors Charles Chege and Beth Wangeci. Although they were convicted on corruption charges, the court acquitted them on three counts of money laundering.
Delivering the ruling, Magistrate Thomas Nziyoki dismissed Waititu’s claims of political persecution, emphasizing that "numbers and figures do not lie." He characterized the case as a classic example of conflict of interest, citing strong evidence presented by the prosecution.
Key findings revealed that funds linked to the fraudulent deal were funneled through Equity Bank accounts associated with Waititu and his wife. Additionally, the court declared the tender process invalid, highlighting the lack of necessary documentation and Testimony Enterprises’ inability to execute the road project.
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Magistrate Nziyoki condemned the contract as a "mockery of the law," exposing significant irregularities in the procurement process. Engineer Luka, identified as a key orchestrator of the fraud, unlawfully altered tender requirements, disadvantaging four other bidders.
Further evidence confirmed that Testimony Enterprises’ director had personal ties to Waititu. The court also ruled that the company and its directors were guilty of unlawfully acquiring public property, reinforcing their role in the corrupt scheme.
