A Nairobi court has heard how former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu used “kickbacks” paid by a road contractor to acquire a multi-million-shilling hotel in Nairobi CBD.
During Thursday’s hearing, a banker from Equity Bank tabled 45 documents in court showing a chain of bank transactions between the Kiambu county government, the road contractor, and business entities owned by Waititu and his wife.
The contractor (Testimony Enterprises) had been awarded a tender to upgrade various gravel roads in Limuru, Gatundu North, Thika, Juja, and Ruiru sub-counties at a cost of Sh588 million.
Lijondo Kihima, a banker at Equity, told Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki that Testimony Enterprises wired over Sh110 million to Waititu’s company dubbed Saika Two Estate Developers Limited between 2017 and 2019. Saika then used the proceeds to pay Lake Naivasha Resort Ltd for the acquisition of Bienvenue Delta Hotel on University Way in Nairobi.
The banker further told the court that on April 4th, 2017, Waititu transferred Sh450 million from his bank to Lake Naivasha Resort Ltd. The prosecution witness also tabled 11 cheques drawn by Testimony in favor of Saika and Bienvenue Delta Hotel.
“I am the one who supplied the documents to the investigating officer and certified the account opening documents,” Kihima told the court.
Waititu, who was impeached as Kiambu governor in January 2020, is facing graft charges alongside 12 others, including his wife Susan Wangari Ndung’u and their trading companies Saika Two Estate Ltd and Bienvenue Delta Hotel.
The hearing continues.
One of the major thieves in…
One of the major thieves in kenya. He is an UDAku guy.
It’s taking too long to…
It’s taking too long to convict Waititu while the evidence against him is overwhelming. Send the guy to Kamiti and throw the kenya away.
Is it worth it for someone…
Is it worth it for someone like Waititu to be named a con man and a great thief? What is really in someone’s name?