The corruption case involving former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu, amounting to Sh588 million, is progressing towards its hearing phase.
Legal counsels are expected to present their arguments following the completion of the investigating officer’s testimony in the case.
The Sh588 million investigation revolves around two main elements: the irregularities surrounding the tender process and the subsequent financial loss.
Mohammed Hassan, the investigating officer, presented documentary evidence to substantiate the claim that the road tender awarded to Testimony Enterprises was conducted irregularly.
He revealed that the directors of Testimony Enterprises, Charles Chege and Beth Wangechi, are recommended for charges due to their alleged use of forged documents to secure the lucrative Sh588 million roads tender.
The charges in the case also involve accusations against Waititu and his wife. They are alleged to have received Sh51 million through their companies, Saika Two Estate Developers Ltd and Benvenue Delta Hotel. The allegations involve conflicts of interest and transactions involving suspicious property.
According to the charges, Waititu and Saika Two Estate Developers Limited received Sh18,410,500 from Testimony Enterprises Limited between July 2, 2018, and March 13, 2019, with the belief that the amount was acquired through corrupt practices from the Kiambu county government.
Similarly, Waititu and his wife are accused of receiving Sh7,214,000 from Testimony Enterprises Limited, again with the suspicion that the money stemmed from corrupt activities within the Kiambu county government.
The prosecution asserts that Waititu and his wife knowingly accepted a portion of the funds as kickbacks, being aware that these funds were generated through unlawful means. Furthermore, they allegedly used Sh6 million from these proceeds to purchase Delta Hotel, attempting to obscure the source of the funds.
Among those facing charges are former county employees and directors of Testimony Enterprises Limited, the company that was awarded the contentious tender.
