High Court gives Governor Ferdinand Waititu 1 day to collect his belongings from Kiambu offices

Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu was on Thursday denied access to his county offices by the High Court.

Governor Waititu had appealed a decision to bar him from conducting his official duties as a Sh588 million graft case against him is decided by the courts.

High Court Judge Grace Ngenye, however, gave the embattled governor one day to collect any of his belongings from the county office.

High Court Justice Grace Ngenye gives Governor Ferdinand Waititu 1 day to collect his belongings from Kiambu offices Pulse Live Kenya

Justice Ngenye did not specify on the day but emphasized that after he had collected his possessions he must keep away from the offices.

No special treatment for Governor Waititu

The judge further justified her decision to uphold the ruling by Magistrate Lawrence Mugambi stating that the precedent was set by High Court Justice Mumbi Ngugi.

Justice Mumbi ruled that governors should not be allowed to continue to execute county duties once they are charged in court.

"Why would the rest [of the governors charged with graft] be barred [from office] and not Waititu?

"In as much as Waititu remains innocent until proven guilty, it would be a mockery to the people of Kiambu if he is allowed to continue working from his office; absurdity would reign if the court allowed him to go back to the office.

"He is considered morally ill because of the alleged offences, which is similar to a governor who is sick and away from office. It has happened in other counties; when a governor is ill, his deputy takes charge, assisted by the county executive officers ," she stated.