The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Igonga has moved to court to appeal the acquittal of former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu of money laundering charges.
In a statement dated Friday, February 21, the DPP expressed that Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzyoki erred in acquitting Waititu of money laundering charges in the Ksh588 million graft case.
In the ruling that was issued on February 13, the court sentenced Waititu and his wife for corruption-related charges including conflict of interest and acquitted them of the money laundering charges.
According to the DPP, there was sufficient evidence to prove that the former county boss engaged in money laundering.
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"In his appeal, the DPP has outlined twelve compelling reasons why the court should reverse the decision, convict Waititu, and impose a sentence as prescribed by law," read the statement in part.
"During the trial, Prosecution argued that between July 2, 2018, and March 2019, in Nairobi, Waititu knowingly engaged in a scheme to launder Ksh12,410,500. The funds, allegedly proceeds of crime, were transferred from Testimony Enterprises Limited to Saika Two Estate Developers Limited to disguise their illicit origin."
The appeal has been filed at the High Court's Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division.
Waititi is currently facing a 12-year jail term should he fail to pay a mandatory fine of Ksh53.5 million.
His wife, Susan Wangari, was sentenced to serve a one-year jail term if she fails to pay a ksh500,000 fine.
