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Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu (pictured) has said the Sh588 Million graft charges levelled against him were politically instigated after he fell out with the ruling class.

In lengthy submissions filed before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, Waititu says he was sacrificed in a wider political war linked to the 2022 succession politics.

“Unfortunately, this case is one that was informed by the prevailing political temperatures within the country. I fell out of favour with the ruling political class and as a direct consequence I was cast out to wither and die,” says Waititu.

The former County Chief was impeached in 2020 after a motion was tabled by former Ndenderu MCA Solomon Kinuthia who accused him of abuse of office and engaging in corrupt dealings. 63 members of the county assembly voted in favour of his removal with 28 failing to turn up. The Senate subsequently approved his impeachment.

Through Advocate John Swaka, he termed the Senate proceedings a public disgrace.

Policy and laws

He says it highlighted the influence of politics and favour with the ruling class when it came to the formulation of policy and laws.

“Those in favor with the ruling class were vindicated whereas those who had lost it were left out in the cold. If not for the fallout between myself and the prevailing political forces at the time, these proceedings would not have been brought,” he explains.

Waititu in urging the court to acquit him asked Trial Magistrate Thomas Nzyuki to take into account the numerous cases the former Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji withdrew on account of being misled by the then Directorate of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti that there was concrete evidence in some of the cases.

The court will deliver its ruling on September 21 on whether the accused persons will be placed on their defence.