Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu will continue serving his 12-year sentence at Kamiti Prison after the High Court dismissed his plea to have his Ksh53.5 million bail reduced.
The court ruled that Waititu had not provided sufficient grounds to change the bond conditions he had personally proposed, which required him to present a full bank guarantee.
“The applicant himself made an offer for a bank guarantee, and for him to do so, he must have known what it would entail to procure it,” the court said, adding that he could not now claim inability to meet the same terms.
Waititu was convicted earlier this year alongside four others in connection with a Ksh588 million road construction scandal during his tenure as Kiambu Governor. The court found him guilty of irregular procurement, conflict of interest, and abuse of office.
This is the second time this year the former governor’s efforts to secure bail have failed. His previous application in March 2025 was also rejected, with the court citing the seriousness of the offences and the risk of absconding.
In his latest plea, Waititu’s lawyer argued that the former governor was facing financial difficulties and undergoing treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital. He urged the court to accept title deeds or reduce the bail to Ksh20 million, saying it was impossible to raise the full amount through a bank guarantee.
However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) opposed the plea, insisting that the court must uphold the law and not act out of sympathy. “This is a court of law, not mercy. As a convict, Waititu enjoys no presumption of innocence and must meet strict conditions,” the DPP stated.
The judges further noted that Waititu and his co-appellants had been slow in progressing their appeal and warned that any further delays would not be tolerated.
With the latest ruling, Waititu’s only path to temporary freedom lies in producing the full Ksh53.5 million bank guarantee. Failure to do so means he will remain behind bars as his appeal continues to be heard under close judicial supervision.
