By Valentine Omondi
Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been fined KSh21 million over three money laundering charges linked to a controversial KSh588.7 million county roads tender, adding another financial penalty to his ongoing corruption case.
Milimani Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa delivered the sentences on Monday, November 2, 2026, imposing fines of KSh10 million, KSh6 million and KSh5 million on Waititu under Counts 10, 11 and 12, respectively.
The court ordered that failure to pay the fines would attract prison terms of five years, four years and four years on the respective counts.
Although the default sentences add up to 13 years, they will run concurrently, meaning the longest term is five years rather than 13 years.
The latest sentences will also run concurrently with the 12-year prison term previously imposed on Waititu in the same corruption case, following directions issued by the High Court.
Waititu’s latest financial penalty follows his conviction on three money laundering counts after the High Court overturned an earlier acquittal on the charges.
How the KSh588.7 Million Tender Scandal Began
The case dates back to Waititu’s tenure as Kiambu Governor, when the county government awarded Testimony Enterprises Limited a contract worth approximately KSh588.7 million during the 2017/2018 financial year.
The contract involved upgrading gravel roads to bitumen standards across Thika, Limuru, Gatundu North, Juja and Ruiru.
Investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) focused on allegations that the tender had been irregularly awarded and that public funds from the project were channelled to companies associated with Waititu and people close to him.
The commission’s investigations included allegations of conflict of interest, fraudulent acquisition of public funds, abuse of office and money laundering.
In a statement issued in May 2019, EACC announced investigations into irregularly awarded tenders valued at KSh588 million involving companies associated with Waititu and members of his immediate family.
The commission also conducted searches at the homes and offices of the governor, his family members, private company directors and senior county officials as part of its investigations.
The February 2025 Conviction
On February 12, 2025, Waititu and several co-accused were convicted of corruption-related offences arising from the road construction contract.
He was sentenced to 12 years in prison or an alternative fine of approximately KSh53.5 million.
The prosecution’s case included allegations that Waititu had corruptly received KSh25 million from Testimony Enterprises Limited, the company awarded the road construction contract.
His wife, Susan Wangari Ndung’u, was also convicted in the case and sentenced to one year in prison or a fine of KSh500,000.
Waititu subsequently challenged his conviction and sentence, arguing that the trial court had failed to properly evaluate the evidence and that the punishment was harsh and excessive.
High Court Reverses Money Laundering Acquittals
The case took another significant turn on October 14, 2026, when High Court Judge Rose Ougo overturned the earlier acquittals of Waititu and his co-accused on three money laundering counts.
The decision followed a successful State cross-appeal challenging the acquittals.
Justice Ougo entered convictions on Counts 10, 11 and 12, which concerned transactions involving KSh12.41 million, KSh7.214 million and KSh6 million, respectively.
The court also upheld Waititu’s earlier corruption convictions and sentences, dismissing his appeal.
Importantly, the High Court directed that any sentences imposed on the money laundering charges would run concurrently with the sentences already handed down in the corruption case.
The ruling also upheld the ten-year prohibition against Waititu and other affected convicted persons holding public office, whether through election or appointment.
More Financial Consequences for Waititu
Beyond the criminal convictions, Waititu has also faced separate proceedings over property and assets suspected of being proceeds of corruption.
In December 2025, the Anti-Corruption Court ordered the forfeiture of assets valued at approximately KSh131.2 million linked to Waititu and associated parties following proceedings over unexplained wealth.
EACC has also pursued a separate civil recovery case seeking KSh170 million from Waititu and Testimony Enterprises Limited as alleged proceeds of corruption.
That civil recovery matter remains separate from the criminal proceedings and is still pending determination.
Monday’s KSh21 million sentencing therefore marks another development in a corruption case that has followed the former governor beyond his time in office, with the courts dealing with both the original corruption offences and the subsequent money laundering convictions.
