Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has walked out of jail after nearly six months behind bars, following a High Court order granting him release on a Ksh 53 million bond.
Waititu, who was serving a 12-year sentence over a Ksh 588 million corruption scandal, is now out as he pushes forward with an appeal challenging both his conviction and sentence.
The court’s ruling gives the former county boss a lifeline because he maintains that the trial court erred both in fact and in law.
His lawyers have also employed his poor health, including chest pains and high blood pressure, as part of the bail argument issues, which previously did not sway the court.
In April, Waititu was granted permission to amend his appeal and submit a fresh application for bail. That move has now paid off.
The former governor was convicted in February for irregularly awarding tenders during his time in office.
He was handed a five-year jail term or a Ksh2.5 million fine plus a mandatory penalty of Ksh 51 million or an additional seven years if unpaid.
His wife, Susan Wangare, was also caught up in the case and fined Ksh 500,000 or face a year behind bars. The court, however, ruled their sentences would run concurrently.
Delivering the original ruling, Milimani Anti-Corruption Court Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki said Waititu’s actions went against the principles of good governance and could not be overlooked.
As he awaits the High Court’s verdict on his appeal, Waititu is for now a free man but far from off the hook.
