Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu and his wife, Susan Wangari, will remain in custody until October 27, 2026, when the court is expected to issue further directions on their mitigation and sentencing in the Sh588.7 million graft case.
Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa on Thursday adjourned the matter after the prosecution and defence differed on the persons who should be subjected to sentencing following a High Court judgment overturning their acquittals.
Magistrate Barasa said the matter had been remitted to his court following a judgment delivered by the High Court on October 14, 2026.
However, before the sentence hearing could commence, State prosecutor Vincent Monda and defence lawyer Chris Mutuku expressed divergent views on who should be the subject of the sentencing proceedings.
The magistrate said he considered it prudent to refer the matter to the High Court through the Deputy Registrar for further directions.
“I have since been advised that the directions have been issued and are awaiting publication on the court system for the parties’ further action,” Barasa said.
He directed that the matter be mentioned on October 27 for further orders.
The dispute follows the High Court’s decision to overturn the trial court’s acquittals on the money-laundering charges, paving the way for the accused to return to the magistrate’s court for mitigation and sentencing.
The defence had previously challenged the commencement of the sentencing proceedings, arguing that the trial court had acquitted the accused on the money-laundering counts and that the basis for proceeding with sentencing needed clarification.
The prosecution, however, maintained that the High Court had allowed its appeal, set aside the acquittals and convicted the accused, directing that they return to the trial court for mitigation and sentencing.
Waititu and Wangari appeared in court alongside their co-accused, Charles Chege Mbuthia.
