Governor Waititus wife appears before EACC

Governor Waititus wife appears before EACC

Susan Wangari Ndung’u, the wife of Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu on Sunday afternoon appeared before the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) hours after her husband surrendered.

Governor Waititu, his wife and 11 others are accused of embezzling Ksh.588 million public funds through irregular procurement for upgrading several roads in Kiambu County.

The two appeared before the EACC after Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji ordered for their arrest on Friday.

The Kiambu County Chief Officer for Roads Luka Mwangi Waihenya also presented himself before the EACC on Sunday.

Addressing journalists at Integrity Centre, Waititu’s lawyer Oliver Kipchumba denied claims that the Kiambu Governor had gone into hiding after the arrest orders were issued on Friday.

“The issue of running away is neither here nor there. The governor was away out of town and he came back yesterday a bit late and that’s why he reported to the EACC this morning,” said Kipchumba.

The governor, his wife and their co-accused are expected to be arraigned in court on Monday.

The DPP on Friday said he is satisfied with evidence against Waititu and 12 other suspects linked to the Ksh.588 million scandal.

“I find that the award of the contract for Ksh.588,198,328.20 in respect to tender No.CGK/RTPW&U/142/2017-2018- for the upgrading of various gravel roads to Bitumen surface in Thika, Limuru, Gatundu North, Juja and Ruiru sub-counties was skewed in favour of M/s Testimony Enterprises Ltd, and the county government officials were culpable,” said the DPP in a statement.

“The directors of M/s Testimony Enterprises Ltd were close associates of Ferdinand Ndung’u Waititu Babayao, the Governor of Kiambu County. The total amount of Ksh.147,274,055.39 have so far been irregularly paid to Testimony Enterprises Ltd in relation to the subject tender.”

Waititu and his co-accused are set to be charged with conflict of interest, dealing with suspect property, abuse of office, wilful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement and engaging in fraudulent practice.

Other charges likely to be preferred against them include fraudulent acquisition of public property and money laundering.

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FERDINAND WAITITU Kiambu County

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