High Court has refused to reduce the 12-year prison term handed to Ferdinand Waititu, the former governor of Kiambu County convicted of corruption earlier this year.
Justice Lucy Njuguna dismissed Waititu’s application on Tuesday, saying the court would not interfere with the sentence while his formal appeal is pending. The ruling, delivered on 16 September, keeps the conviction intact but leaves room for a full appeal hearing in the coming months.
“The verdict stands pending the hearing and determination of the appeal,” Justice Njuguna ruled, warning that any undue delay could see the case struck out altogether.
Waititu, a one-time ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta turned political rebel, was convicted in February for failing to safeguard public funds. The court found he had unlawfully received 25 million shillings from a company linked to a tender irregularity.
He was given the option to pay a fine of 53.5 million shillings or serve 12 years in prison. Having failed to raise the sum, he has remained at Kamiti Maximum Prison.
The Director of Public Prosecutions opposed the attempt to revisit the sentence, arguing that the matter should proceed through the formal appeals process.
Waititu’s lawyers had filed the review application in late August, saying the sentence was excessive and unfair. They argued that the court had failed to fully consider mitigating factors, including his public service record.
The former governor’s main appeal is expected to be heard within 120 days, with the next mention scheduled for 1 October.
The case is one of the most high-profile corruption convictions of recent years, highlighting both the courts’ willingness to act against senior politicians and the continued debate over the pace of Kenya’s anti-graft drive.
For now, Waititu remains behind bars, awaiting a final ruling on whether he will serve out his sentence or walk free on appeal.
About the Author
