Ferdinand Waititu Released on Revised Bail in KSh 588 Million Corruption Appeal
Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu regained his freedom on March 5 after the High Court significantly relaxed the bail terms he had struggled to meet in his appeal against a corruption conviction.
The case revolves around accusations that he irregularly awarded road construction tenders worth KSh 588 million while in office, involving claims of conflict of interest and abuse of public funds. Having been convicted in the lower court last year, Waititu had remained in custody for months due to what he described as impossibly stringent release conditions.
Justice Winfrida Okwany granted the former governor’s application to review the earlier bail ruling, replacing the previously demanded bank guarantee with more attainable alternatives. The updated terms require Waititu to deposit KSh 20 million in cash or provide two sureties each backed by property valued at no less than KSh 30 million, with the court to verify the sureties’ documents. He was also directed to deposit his passport with the court registry as a condition of his release pending the hearing and determination of the full appeal.
Waititu’s lawyers confirmed in court that he had complied with the new requirements, securing his immediate release. Although the Director of Public Prosecutions opposed the variation, arguing that no compelling fresh circumstances justified the change, the judge ruled in favour of the adjustment. The development represents a key milestone in the long-running graft saga that has kept the former governor behind bars since his conviction.
