Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been fined Sh21 million, or 13 years in prison in default, after being found guilty of money laundering in connection with a Sh588.7 million road construction tender awarded during his tenure. Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa handed Mr Waititu the penalty following his conviction on three money laundering counts at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on Monday, November 2, 2026.
The additional prison terms will run concurrently with his existing 12-year sentence for corruption-related offences. Mr Waititu's wife, Susan Wangari Ndung'u, was fined Sh18 million or two years in prison in default, over her involvement in companies linked to the disputed transactions. Businessman Charles Mbuthia Chege, a director of Testimony Enterprises Limited, was similarly fined Sh21 million or 13 years, while his wife, Beth Wangechi Mburu, was ordered to pay Sh6 million or serve six years in default.
The sentences were delivered after the accused appeared before the court for mitigation. Mr Waititu and Mr Chege appealed for leniency for their wives, arguing that they had played little or no role in the transactions that led to their convictions. Mr Waititu described Ms Wangari as a silent partner in the companies associated with the tender, arguing that she was neither a signatory to their bank accounts nor involved in making business decisions.
The defence made similar arguments for Ms Mburu, saying her involvement was limited to signing initial company incorporation documents and that she had no role in the companies' daily operations. The defence also urged the court to consider the welfare of Ms Mburu's young children, arguing that imprisoning both parents would affect the minors, who had no involvement in the offences. The prosecution opposed the request, insisting that the spouses had been convicted in their individual capacities and should therefore face the penalties prescribed by law.
In delivering the sentences, Mr Barasa said money laundering offences fall under a special legal regime that requires courts to impose penalties within the limits prescribed by law. He added that the prosecution had proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt and that each accused person had to be held individually accountable. The court also imposed substantial fines on companies linked to the transactions, including Testimony Enterprises Limited, which received the Sh588.7 million road construction contract.
The case arose from a Sh588.7 million contract awarded to Testimony Enterprises Limited by the Kiambu County Government for the upgrading of gravel roads to bituminous standards across several sub-counties during Mr Waititu's tenure as governor. Prosecutors told the court that money from the public project was channelled through businesses associated with Mr Waititu and his co-accused in a scheme intended to conceal the proceeds of crime.
The latest sentences follow a High Court decision by Justice Rose Ougo, who overturned earlier acquittals on the money laundering charges and entered convictions against Mr Waititu and his co-accused. KEY_POINT: Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been fined Sh21 million or 13 years in prison for money laundering. KEY_POINT: The additional prison terms will run concurrently with his existing 12-year sentence for corruption-related offences. KEY_POINT: The case arose from a Sh588.7 million contract awarded to Testimony Enterprises Limited by the Kiambu County Government.
