Lack of passport confines Waititu’s wife to Lang’ata remand prison

By Sheila Mutua and Bernice Mbugua.

Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu’s wife, Susan Ndung’u, could not be freed on Tuesday evening despite posting her Ksh4 million cash bail, K24 Digital can reveal.

Ms Ndung’u was required to surrender her passport to the court before she could be allowed to enjoy her freedom.

It, however, emerged that the governor’s wife has never had a passport.

In disbelief, the investigating officer asked Ms Ndung’u’s lawyer, John Swaka, to present a written letter by the immigration department confirming that it is indeed true that the governor’s wife doesn’t have a passport.

The earliest the letter can be presented in court, is Wednesday morning (July 31), Swaka said.

That meant that Ms Ndung’u had no option but to spend the third night in custody.

Meanwhile, her husband was taken to Industrial Area Remand Prison after he failed to process his Ksh15 million cash bail in time.

In the alternative, the partners were to submit Sh30 million (Waititu) and Sh4 million (Susan) bonds respectively.

The two were charged on Monday over Sh588 million irregular tender alongside eight other people implicated in the procurement law violation.

The Anti-Corruption Court in granting bail to the county officials implicated in the irregular roads tender, ordered all of the them from setting foot in the Kiambu County offices.

In addition, they were also ordered to deposit their travel documents with the court as well as not to directly or indirectly contact the witnesses.

Following the ruling barring the governor from office, there was debate on social media whether the magistrate implied that the deputy governor, James Nyoro, is in charge of the county affairs.

Chief Magistrate Lawrence Mugambi concurred with a ruling issued by High Court that county bosses charged with economic crimes be barred from their offices until their cases are heard and determined.

“I concur with the remarks of Justice Mumbi Ngugi when she rhetorically questioned ‘how effective is the prosecution of such state officers be when their subordinates who are likely to be witnesses are under the direct control of indicted officers?’” said Mr Mugambi.

Hours after the court ruling on blocking the governor from his office for duration of his trial, Waititu’s deputy, James Nyoro, called for a Cabinet meeting to be followed a press conference.