An anti-corruption court in Nairobi has postponed the sentencing of former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, his wife, Susan Wangari Ndung'u, and their co-accused in the Ksh588.7 million graft case to November 2, 2026, after Waititu apologised for his actions and pleaded for leniency.
Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa issued the fresh directions on Tuesday, October 27, granting the defence additional time to respond to submissions filed by the prosecution.
The court was handling mitigation and sentencing proceedings following a High Court decision that upheld the corruption convictions of Waititu, his wife and their co-accused.
During the proceedings, the former governor expressed remorse and urged the court to impose a lighter punishment, arguing that he and his wife were first-time offenders.
“I apologise for the wrong I did. My wife and I are first offenders. I urge the court to consider a lenient punishment during sentencing,” Waititu pleaded.
However, state prosecutor Vincent Monda urged the court to impose a six-year prison sentence on each count against Waititu, his wife and the other accused persons.
The defence, meanwhile, appealed for leniency, citing the accused persons' family circumstances and their respective roles in the case.
After hearing the submissions, Barasa directed the defence to file its response to the prosecution's arguments by the close of business on Wednesday, October 28, before delivering the sentencing ruling the following week.
“The defence are directed to file their submissions in response to the prosecution's submissions by close of business tomorrow, that's on October 28, 2026,” Barasa directed.
“I will reserve my ruling on sentencing, and the same will be delivered on November 2, 2026 at 11:30am. The fifth accused shall be remanded at Lang'ata Women's Prison pending the said ruling,” the magistrate added.
The latest development comes days after sentencing proceedings were postponed on October 22 following a disagreement between the prosecution and defence over which accused persons should be sentenced.
The dispute prompted Barasa to refer the matter to the High Court through the Deputy Registrar to obtain further directions.
The disagreement emerged after High Court Judge Rose Ougo upheld the convictions of Waititu, his wife and their co-accused on several corruption charges but overturned their earlier acquittal on money laundering charges.
Waititu and the other accused persons were initially convicted on February 12, 2025, over offences including conflict of interest, abuse of office, dealing with suspect property and fraudulent procurement practices.
The charges arose from a Ksh588.7 million road construction contract awarded by the Kiambu County government during the 2017/2018 financial year.
