Nairobi:The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has successfully secured fines amounting to Sh21 million against former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu in a money laundering case involving Sh25.6 million. Waititu faces default prison sentences of up to 13 years if the fines are not paid.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Anti-Corruption Magistrate’s Court, led by Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa, delivered the sentences after the High Court upheld the convictions on various corruption-related offences and overturned acquittals on money laundering charges. Waititu was fined Sh10 million, Sh6 million, and Sh5 million for three separate counts of money laundering. In the event of default, he will serve five, four, and four years in prison, respectively, with sentences running concurrently.
The court also imposed substantial fines and custodial sentences on Waititu’s co-accused. Charles Chege Mbuthia was fined Sh10 million for the first count, Sh6 million for the second, and Sh5 million for the third, with default sentences of five, four, and four years, respectively. Beth Wangeci Mburu received fines of Sh2 million for each count, with default sentences of two years each. Saika Two Estate Developers Limited and Testimony Enterprises Limited were fined Sh16 million for the first count and Sh8 million for the third. Testimony Enterprises Limited was fined an additional Sh12 million for the second count. Waititu’s wife, Susan Wangari Ndung’u, through Bienvenue Delta Hotel, was fined Sh2 million in the second count, with a default sentence of two years.
During the mitigation stage, the defense sought leniency, citing family responsibilities, prolonged court attendance, and emotional and psychological strain. They requested to pay fines in installments over two years. However, Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Vincent Monda opposed these applications, emphasizing the gravity of money laundering offences and their impact on Kenya’s financial system and compliance with international obligations, such as those under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) framework.
The court ordered the corporate entities to pay their fines within 14 days, failing which default custodial sentences would apply. The accused have been granted 14 days to appeal against the sentences. The prosecution team included Assistant Directors of Public Prosecutions Faith Mwila and Linda Mwamburi, alongside Monda.
