Waititu corruption case to proceed on June 19, court orders

The Anti-Corruption Court yesterday ordered a Sh588 million corruption case against former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu to proceed on June 19.

Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki adjourned the case after lawyer John Swaka informed the court that Waititu was still admitted at the Aga Khan hospital where he was on Monday rushed for treatment aft collapsing at his home.. Waititu’s wife Susan Wangari was present in court after the court directed her to appear for the mention of the case.

At the same time, Swaka also produced medical records as had been directed by the court to show that his client was in the hospital.

However, the court declined to fix new hearing dates in July as had been requested by Swaka, with the magistrate ruling that should Waititu fail to recover by June 19, the case will be heard virtually. Swaka had urged the court to fix the hearing for July since he was not sure his client will have recovered by June 19.

Waititu is said to have collapsed at his home and was rushed to Aga Khan Hospital and was unable to attend court for  the hearing of the case.

The prosecution informed the court that it has two more witnesses remaining to testify in the case before closing it.

The two include a document examiner and the investigating officer.

In the case, Waititu, his wife and three others are facing trial over the irregular award of Sh588 million roads tender in Kiambu county.

The tender in question was issued on February 12, 2018, and awarded to Testimony Enterprise owned by its directors Charles Chege and Beth Wangeci after quoting Sh588 million.

It was for upgrading of various gravel roads in Thika, Limuru, Gatundu North, Juja, and Ruiru sub-counties during the financial year 2017-2018. Investigating agencies say the tender was irregularly awarded.