NAIROBI, Kenya — The High Court has dealt a significant blow to former Kiambu County Governor Ferdinand Waititu, ordering the government to confiscate assets valued at Ksh 76.2 million.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Nixon Sifuna on Friday, concluded a protracted legal battle initiated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which had been seeking to recover nearly Ksh 1.9 billion in allegedly ill-gotten wealth.
In his judgment, Justice Sifuna directed the state to take possession of several high-value properties and machinery linked to the former governor and his family:
- Real Estate: Two parcels of land valued at Ksh 32 million, along with an additional plot registered under the name of his wife, Susan Ndung’u.
- Machinery & Vehicles: A Caterpillar tractor valued at Ksh 11 million and two motor vehicles worth Ksh 600,000 each.
The court reached this decision after determining that the respondents had not provided a transparent account of how these specific properties were funded. As noted in the ruling:
“Waititu and his wife failed to sufficiently explain the source of the assets.”
The defense and EACC’s partial victory
Throughout the proceedings, the former governor maintained that his wealth was the result of legitimate commercial activities. According to the court documents:
“Waititu and his wife opposed the case insisting that the assets were acquired legally through proceeds of loans and businesses before he became governor.”
While the EACC had hoped to reclaim nearly Ksh 1.9 billion, the court only authorized the seizure of items where the financial trail was found to be lacking.
Justice Sifuna notably declined the commission’s request to freeze or seize funds held in several bank accounts associated with the couple and their business entities.
Regarding this denial, the Judge clarified:
“The commission’s allegations regarding the accounts were not presented with sufficient clarity or supported by solid evidence.”
Also Read: Former Kiambu Governor Waititu sentenced to 12 years in prison for corruption
This asset forfeiture is the latest in a series of legal setbacks for the Waititu family.
In February 2025, the former governor was convicted of conflict of interest in a Ksh 588 million graft case involving irregular road tenders.
| Individual | 2025 Conviction Sentence | Fine Alternative |
| Ferdinand Waititu | 12 Years Imprisonment | Ksh 52.5 Million |
| Susan Ndung’u | 1 Year Imprisonment | Ksh 500,000 |
The couple’s sentencing earlier this year marked a landmark moment in Kenya’s fight against corruption, emphasizing the judiciary’s commitment to holding high-ranking public officials accountable for the management of public resources.
