Kiambu County Governor Ferdinand Waititu, his wife Susan Wangari and six other suspects have been freed on bail after pleading not guilty to graft charges.
In his bail ruling on Tuesday, Milimani Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate Lawrence Mugambi slapped Waititu with Sh30 Million bond or an alternative cash bail of Sh.15 Million.
Waititu's wife was slapped with Sh10 million bond or an alternative cash bail of Sh4 million.
Other suspects charged alongside Waititu have also been granted bail.
In his ruling, the Court also barred Governor Waititu and other suspects from accessing their offices.
“It is necessary to guard the risk of interfering with the witnesses in the case by imposing conditions…restricting him is necessary and to ensure public interest is safeguarded,” the Magistrate ruled as quoted by Citizen digital.
On Monday, Waititu pleaded not guilty to six counts over alleged Sh588 Million irregular tender.
He denied charges of conflict of interest, dealing with suspect property, willful failure to comply with procurement law, engaging in a fraudulent activity and abuse of office.
The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) did not oppose Waititu’s application to be released on bail.The prosecution instead asked the court to grant stringent bond and bail terms to the governor and other suspects.
Last week, the DPP Noordin Haji issued arrest orders against Waititu and other suspects, stating that he has sufficient evidence to prosecute the case.
He claimed that Waititu and other suspects conspired to defraud the County Government in the alleged Sh588 million irregular tender.
Waititu and his wife surrendered to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Sunday after he allegedly went into hiding after arrest orders were made against him.
The Kiambu Governor and his wife spend Sunday and Monday night in police custody pending their bail ruling.
Source: https://citizentv.co.ke/news/waititu-blocked-from-accessing-kiambu-county-office-even-as-court-frees-him-on-ksh-15m-bail-266649/