By GPC News Desk
Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been fined a total of KSh21 million over three money laundering charges involving KSh25.6 million, following a sentencing decision by the Anti-Corruption Magistrate’s Court.
Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa also imposed substantial fines and custodial sentences on Waititu’s co-accused after the High Court upheld their convictions on corruption-related offences and overturned their acquittals on money laundering charges.
Waititu was fined KSh10 million, KSh6 million and KSh5 million in three separate counts involving KSh12.41 million, KSh7.214 million and KSh6 million, respectively.
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He will serve five years, four years and four years in prison in default of payment. The sentences will run concurrently.
In the first count, Charles Chege Mbuthia was fined KSh10 million or five years in prison in default, while Beth Wangeci Mburu was fined KSh2 million or two years.
Two companies, Saika Two Estate Developers Limited and Testimony Enterprises Limited, were each fined KSh16 million.
In the second count, Mbuthia was fined KSh6 million or four years in default, while Mburu received a KSh2 million fine or two years in prison.
Waititu’s wife, Susan Wangari Ndung’u, through Bienvenue Delta Hotel, was fined KSh2 million or two years in default, while Testimony Enterprises Limited was fined KSh12 million.
In the third count, Mbuthia was fined KSh5 million or four years in default, while Mburu was fined KSh2 million or two years.
Saika Two Estate Developers Limited and Testimony Enterprises Limited were each fined KSh8 million in the same count.
During mitigation, the defence pleaded for leniency, citing the accused persons’ family responsibilities, prolonged court appearances dating back to 2019 and the emotional and psychological toll of the proceedings.
The defence also asked the court to allow the accused persons to pay their fines in instalments over two years.
However, the prosecution opposed the applications, urging the court to consider the seriousness of money laundering offences and their implications for Kenya’s financial system and international obligations.
Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Vincent Monda, who led the prosecution, cited Kenya’s obligations under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) framework and urged the court to impose penalties proportionate to the offences.
Monda also asked the court to consider the mitigation of each accused person independently when determining the appropriate sentences.
The court directed the corporate entities to pay their respective fines within 14 days, warning that failure to comply would attract the applicable default custodial sentences.
The accused persons were also granted 14 days to appeal against the sentences.
The prosecution was led by Monda, alongside Assistant Directors of Public Prosecutions Faith Mwila and Linda Mwamburi.
