Businessmen and companies risk losing millions after the High Court barred them from being enjoined in former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu's Ksh1.9 billion graft case.
The traders, who filed the petition, sought to fight for Waititu to keep his wealth noting that their businesses were associated with the former Governor.
Additionally, according to the businessmen, their assets were listed as part of the funds allegedly acquired by Waititu through corruption dealings.
In the ruling made by Lady Justice Esther Maina, it was announced that the petitioners failed to disclose their interest in the case to warrant their participation in the proceedings.
"They are making claims against Waititu's properties which are distinct and should not be mixed with this case," she stated.
A local bank was the only third party enjoined in the case as an interested party after claims it had loaned Waititu Ksh200 million to buy a hotel.
Meanwhile, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) sought to recover the governor's Ksh1.9 billion wealth arguing that he acquired the funds through corruption.
It sought to recover several properties including a house in Runda Estate, seven vehicles and a tractor, cash in bank accounts, and several pieces of land in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado counties.
In this case, EACC roped in Waititu's wife, Susan Wangari, and their three companies.
"Investigations established that Ferdinand Waititu 'Babayao' abused his position of trust as a Member of Parliament of Kabete Constituency and later as Governor of Kiambu County, for private gain," EACC argued.
However, Wangari defended their Ksh1.9 billion wealth adding that they amassed it from scratch.
She told the court that they started as small business owners before diversifying their investments. They allegedly began by buying a lorry that was used to supply building materials.
"It was malicious and scandalous for the commission to link my husband and me to unexplained wealth for political reasons and to imply that we received money unlawfully from public institutions," she dismissed the EACC allegations.
