Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu and his wife Susan Wangari Ndun’gu on Monday denied graft charges levelled against them in an alleged irregular award of Sh588 million contracts for roads repair.
The governor and his wife spent the night behind bars as the prosecution sought to have them detained for more days to create time for a probe into the saga.
State prosecutor Alexander Muteti now wants the court to bar the first-term governor from resuming his duties until the case is fully resolved.
Muteti said that the governor has proven beyond doubt that he will not cooperate with the court after he went missing for days after a warrant of arrest was issued against him.
The couple was charged alongside Luka Mwangi Waihinya (Kiambu County Chief Officer for Roads and Transport), six employees of the county and a businessman.
The prosecution also wants the governor denied bail over his conduct since a directive to arrest was given. Muteti also told trial Magistrate Lawrence Mugambi that the governor is likely to interfere with evidence in the case.
“We must call corruption what it is and make it as expensive as it should be. The accused should not be allowed anywhere near the county offices and should keep away from his office just like any other public officer charged with corruption,” said Muteti, as quoted by the Standard.
Waititu’s lawyer Tom Ojienda has appealed to Magistrate Mugambi to remain impartial as he hears the case.
The county boss and wife are facing several charges including abuse of office, flaunting procurement procedures, corruption, handling stolen property among others.