EACC seek to recover assets worth Sh1.9billion from Waititu
The anti-graft agency has filed a suit to recover unexplained assets worth Sh1.9billion allegedly amassed by impeached former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Ndung’u Waititu.
According to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Waititu allegedly misappropriated funds in the year 2015 and 2022 during his tenure as the county boss of Kiambu.
“Investigations established that the Ferdinard Ndung’u Waititu Babayao abused his position of trust as a Member of Parliament – Kabete Constituency and later than Governor – Kiambu County for private gain by engaging in transactions which were in conflict with the public interest and amassed wealth that was disproportionate to his known legitimate sources of income,” EACC said in a statement.
Waititu, who was impeached as Kiambu governor in January 2020, allegedly issued fraudulent procurement tenders to firms subcontracted to offer services to the County Government of Kiambu.
The graft agency revealed that some payments made by the former county chief would see contracted firms forward the proceeds to a number of bank accounts and businesses registered under Waititu’s name.
Waititu’s wife Susan Wangari was also mentioned in the dossier.
“The contractors, upon payment transferred proceeds of the fictitious procurement contracts to Waititu, his wife (Susan Wangari) and their companies – Saika Two Estates Developers Limited, Bienvenue Delta Hotel and Bins Management Services Limited as kick-backs,” EACC said.
During that period, Waititu allegedly made bank transactions worth Sh928, 873,317 on his personal accounts while his wife handled Sh282, 871,658.
EACC further claims that Waititu invested the money in a number of 15 high-end properties in Kiambu and Nairobi.
According to EACC the prices for the said properties ranged from between Sh10 million and Sh380 million.
Saika Two Developers Limited, Bienvenu Delta Hotel and Bins Management Services Limited respectively transacted Sh906,329,068, Sh56,924,332 and Sh62,711,000.
All transactions totalled Sh1,937,709,376
The agency also said this was all a plan by the former county chief to avoid the eagle hawked eyes of the anti-corruption detectives.
