By the 254.ke Newsroom
Former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu and his wife, Susan Wangari, are still waiting to learn their sentences for money laundering. A Nairobi anti-corruption court is due to mention the case on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, after a dispute over how a High Court ruling applies to the accused stalled sentencing last week.
The delay follows an October 14 High Court judgment that overturned their acquittals on three money laundering counts and upheld Waititu’s 12-year sentence in the related Sh588 million Kiambu road tender case.
What is the Waititu sentencing delay about?
Justice Rose Ougo ruled on October 14 that the State’s cross-appeal had succeeded. She set aside the acquittals on counts 10, 11 and 12, which were charged under Section 3 as read with Section 16 of the law on money laundering, and entered convictions. The High Court did not sentence them itself. It sent the file back to the trial court for mitigation and sentencing.
On Thursday, October 22, the prosecution and defence disagreed before Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa over what the ruling means in practice. According to Nairobi Wire, the defence argued the court needed clarification because the trial court had earlier acquitted the accused on those counts. The prosecution said the High Court had allowed its appeal, overturned the acquittals and directed the accused to report for sentencing.
The magistrate referred the question to the High Court through the Deputy Registrar. Directions have been issued but were awaiting publication on the court system, Nairobi Wire reported. People Daily separately reported that mitigation and sentencing were pushed to October 27.
Key facts at a glance
| Case | Sh588.7 million Kiambu County road tender graft case |
| Accused (money laundering) | Ferdinand Waititu, Susan Wangari, Luka Mwangi Wahinya, Charles Chege Mbuthia |
| High Court ruling | October 14, 2026, Justice Rose Ougo |
| Waititu’s existing sentence | 12 years, upheld on appeal, plus a 10-year ban on holding public office |
| Court now handling sentencing | Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa |
| Next date | Mention on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 |
| Custody | Waititu and Wangari remain in custody |
What did the High Court decide on October 14?
The High Court dismissed appeals against conviction and sentence by Waititu and two co-accused on counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9, The Standard reported. The judge also upheld the trial court’s 10-year bar on holding public office and found that the mandatory fines under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act had been properly imposed.
The Star reported that Waititu was convicted of receiving Sh25 million linked to the tender. His wife had previously been sentenced to one year in prison or a Sh500,000 fine. The money laundering sentences are expected to run concurrently with the sentences already imposed, The Standard reported.
Who is in custody and where?
The High Court revoked bail terms for the accused. Wangari is held at Lang’ata Women’s Prison, while Waititu and the male co-accused are held at Nairobi Remand Prison pending sentencing, according to The Star. On October 19, the court declined Wangari’s bail application.
A sitting on October 19 had already been postponed because Charles Chege Mbuthia was not produced from Kamiti Maximum Prison, The Star reported. In a separate ruling, the court ordered Lang’ata Women’s Prison to release Wangari’s mobile phone to her daughter, Monica Njeri, with no objection from the prosecution.
What happens next?
At Tuesday’s mention the court is expected to give further directions on mitigation and sentencing. If the High Court’s clarification settles the question, the magistrate can hear mitigation from the four convicts before passing sentence. No sentence had been announced at the time of publication, and 254.ke will update this report when the court rules.
For earlier developments, see our reports on Waititu’s original conviction and the court’s rejection of his bail bid. Our coverage of another major court outcome is in Shakahola verdict: Mackenzie guilty of 191 murders. Court calendars and judgments are published by the Judiciary of Kenya.
Frequently asked questions
When will Waititu be sentenced for money laundering?
No sentencing date has been fixed beyond the October 27, 2026 mention, when the court is expected to give directions on mitigation and sentencing.
Why was Waititu’s sentencing delayed?
The defence and prosecution disagreed on how the High Court’s October 14 ruling applies, since the trial court had earlier acquitted the accused on the money laundering counts. The magistrate sought clarification from the High Court.
How long is Waititu’s existing sentence?
The High Court upheld his 12-year sentence in the Sh588 million road tender case, along with a 10-year ban from public office.
Who else was convicted of money laundering?
The High Court’s judgment covers his wife Susan Wangari, former Kiambu roads chief officer Luka Mwangi Wahinya and Testimony Enterprises Limited director Charles Chege Mbuthia.
Sources: The Star (Oct 14, 21, 22), The Standard, Nairobi Wire, People Daily. Reported October 27, 2026.
