Court now freezes Ferdinand Waititu's assets as agency probes Sh1.9b wealth

Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

The High Court has frozen assets of the former Kiambu governor, Ferdinand Waititu, over allegations of embezzling Sh1.9 billion.

The order by Lady Justice Esther Maina follows claims by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) that the property was acquired through stolen public funds.

The frozen properties are registered in the names of Waititu, his wife Susan Wangari Ndung’u and their three companies Saika Two Estate Developers Ltd, Bienvenue Delta Hotel and Bins Management Services Ltd.

“An order of injunction is hereby issued restraining the defendants, their agents or people acting on their behalf from selling, transferring or dealing in any way with the listed properties pending the hearing and determination of the suit,” ruled Justice Maina.

Those affected include prime properties in are the Nairobi CBD: Bienvenue Delta Hotel located opposite the University of Nairobi, Jamii Bora Bank building and Solar House, a building along the Biashara Street.

The order also includes a house in upmarket Runda Estate.

Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu with his wife Susan Wangari Ndung'u at a Milimani court, 2019. [George Njunge, Standard

Others are seven vehicles and a tractor, and several pieces of land in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado counties.

The anti-graft body claims that between January 2015 to July 2017 when Waititu served as Kabete MP, and August 2017 to January 2020 as Kiambu governor, he amassed wealth to the tune of Sh1,937,709,376.

“Waititu worked in consonance with county officials while serving as governor and engaged in schemes to embezzle public funds through fictitious and fraudulent procurement contracts after which he was paid huge kick backs he used to buy the properties,” claims EACC through lawyer Jackie Kibogy.

The agency lists Sh805 million in his accounts, land and houses in Runda, Lucky Summer, Migaa Estate, Embakasi Ranching, Kayole and Thindigwa, all valued at Sh280 million, and five vehicles as suspected proceeds of corruption.

His wife allegedly has Sh276 million cash in her accounts, four parcels of land in Kitengela and Kabete valued at Sh19 million, while Saika Two Estate Developers has Sh662 million landed properties and Sh164 million in bank.

Bienvenue Delta Hotel is said to have Sh68 million in bank accounts, while Bins Management Services has Sh63 million.

The commission says Waititu’s legitimate income as MP and governor amounted to Sh160 million comprising Sh29.5 million in salary, rental income of Sh81 million and bank loans totaling Sh44 million.

EACC also claims Waititu traded through companies registered in the name of his daughter, Monica Njeri.