EACC SEEKS TO SEIZE WAITITU’S SH1.9 BILLION PROPERTIES.

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Former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu Baba Yao and his wife Susan Wangari Ndungu escorted to Milimani Law Courts basement cells./PHOTO BY S.A.N.

BY SAM ALFAN.

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has sought to seize property belonging to former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu Baba Yao worth Sh1.9 billion.

The anti-graft agency says in a case filed at the High Court that Waititu has accumulated assets worth Sh1.9 billion which is disproportionate to his known legitimate sources of income.

Some of the properties targeted for seizure have been registered in his name, that of his wife Susan Wangari and his companies.

The companies include Saika Two Estate Development ltd, Bienvenue Delta Hotel, Bins Management Services ltd, Maisawa and Spareparts, Lexis International ltd.

The EACC wants Waititu and his relatives barred from dealing in or transferring the targeted properties until the conclusion of the case.

Other than land and houses scattered in Kajiado, Kiambu and Nairobi, EACC wants to seize seven cars, which is believed to be proceeds of crime.

The agency wants Waititu be directed to surrender the motor vehicles together with the logbooks to the Commission within seven days.

The commission also want the properties auctioned and the proceeds deposited in a joint interest earning account in the name of both the names of EACC and Waititu or his nominee.

“Court be pleased to grant an order against the Defendants to deposit in a joint interest earning account in the name both the Plaintiff and a nominated Defendant as security the sum of Sh. 24,600,000 being the value of cited motor vehicles or issue an order against the Defendants to deposit with the Plaintiff security in form of a bank guarantee for Sh. 24,600,000 being the current value of all motor vehicles cited”, agency urges the Court.

The agency further the court to appoint a receiver for collection of the income, management, control and possession of Bienvenue Delta Hotel under the provisions of Section 56A of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.

The anti-graft claims that Waititu colluded with County Officials of the County Government of Kiambu, engaged in schemes to embezzle public funds through fictitious or fraudulent procurement contracts

It says Waititu in abuse of his position of trust concealed or otherwise disguised his private interest in tenders awarded to companies contracted to offer services to the County.

The contractors subsequently transferred proceeds of the fictitious or fraudulent procurement contracts to Waititu, his as kick-backs.

The commission further adds that Waititu also traded with the county through companies registered in the names of his wife, and their daughter Monica Njeri Ndungu who upon receipt of payments from the County transferred money to Waititu.

The court documents further reveal Waititu accumulated assets worth Sh1.9 billion, which is disproportionate to his known legitimate sources of income.

The anti-graft also established that there were reasonable grounds to suspect that Waititu had, during the period he acquired the assets subject of these proceedings, engaged in corrupt conduct and economic crime.

Waititu is currently facing graft charges as well as abuse of office, conflict of interest, and dealing with suspect property.

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