Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been found guilty of having committed two offences in the years-long Ksh588 million graft case.
Appearing before the Millimani Anti-Corruption Court Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki on Wednesday, Waititu, together with the co-accused, was found guilty of having committed several crimes on various accounts among them a conflict of interest, award of tenders without the approval of the County Assembly, and forgery of documents among others.
During the ruling, Waititu was found guilty of conflict of interest and dealing with suspect property.
''With regards to those offenses as charged, I find the accused persons guilty as charged,'' Chief Magistrate Nzioka ruled. Waititu was accused alongside, among others, his wife Susan Wangari.
The Chief Magistrate based his ruling on 12 accounts, most of which he found that the former Governor, together with his co-accused, were liable for subversion of the law.
''Count one, first accused person (Waititu) guilty, count two, first accused person and Saika Two Estate Developers Limited guilty, count three, first accused person and Saika Two Developers limited guilty,'' read part of Nzioka's ruling.
''Inevitable conclusion, the first accused person you are viable in count number one for conflict of interest by acquiring an indirect person of interest accumulated sum of Ksh25 million.''
Chief Magistrate Nzioki, who initially found the accused with a case to answer in September 2022, ruled that Waititu, along with his wife and other county officials, were, however, acquitted of money laundering charges.
''With regards to offence of money laundering, contrary to section 311 in Roman as read with 16 and accounts 10, 11 and 13, I find the accused persons not guilty and I acquit them under the provision of section 215.''
Additionally, they were charged with fraud, conflict of interest, dealing with suspect property, money laundering, and abuse of office arising from the fraudulent award of tenders to a company owned by the Waititu family.
During the ruling, the Magistrate dismissed earlier claims by the former county boss that the case was politically motivated.
He assured the accused that he had thoroughly reviewed the documents submitted by both the prosecution and the defense and found no evidence of a political agenda.
