Waititu's bid to secure release denied, court gives 120 days to determine bail appeal

Waititu, who has been unable to raise the guarantee, had asked the court to substitute it with a cash deposit but Justice Lucy Njuguna rejected the application.

“I will not vary those orders. Honestly, I did the best I could based on the material placed before me. You placed material that persuaded me and I was gracious enough to grant those orders,” Justice Njuguna ruled.

The judge reminded Waititu’s lawyer that the case involves other accused persons still in custody who had previously complained that the matter was dragging on.

“That’s why I gave 120 days, and for the record, the 120 days start from today. It’s on that basis that I said no more fresh applications should be made so that we concentrate on the appeal and get it out of the way,” the judge added.

The former governor was convicted in February 2025 for failing to safeguard public funds after irregularly receiving Ksh. 25 million from Testimony Enterprises following an unlawful tender award.

He was ordered to either pay a fine of Ksh. 53.5 million or serve 12 years in prison.

Justice Njuguna ruled that the verdict stands pending the hearing and determination of Waititu’s appeal, which must be concluded within 120 days.

She cautioned that unnecessary delays could see the appeal dismissed.