Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu on Saturday inspected various projects within Kiambu county amidst concerns that his actions are against court orders barring him from office for the duration of the case involving the irregular procurement of a Sh588 million tender.
Looming showdown in Kiambu as Waititu defies court order and returns to work
Governor Waititu is back to business despite court orders
File image of Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu
Waititu who was accompanied by a lean entourage inspected the ongoing construction at Wangige Level Four Hospital and Kikuyu market.
Nation further reports that the governor said that will chair a meeting on Wednesday at a place of his choice but not county headquarters.
Governor Ferdinand Waititu (centre) inspects construction work at Wangige Level Four Hospital today (Saturday 03 August 2019
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His actions have set the stage for a looming showdown and battle for the control of the county, pitting Waititu against his Deputy James Nyoro.
James Nyoro takes over from Waititu
Shortly after the ruling barring the governor from accessing his office, Nyoro convened a press conference and announced that he had assumed the county's top office immediately.
Earlier last week, High Court Judge Mumbi Ngugi ruled that governors should step aside once charged with criminal offences and their roles taken over by their deputies for the duration of the trial, paving the way for Nyoro to take over from Waititu.
File image of Kiambu Deputy Governor James Nyoro
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According to Waititu’s lawyer, Tom Ojienda, the ruling only barred the governor from accessing his office and not performing his duties as the governor.
It is not clear in what capacity the governor was acting when he inspected the projects that are currently underway in Kiambu county.
Ferdinand Waititu, his Wife Susan Ndun’gu along with twelve others were charged in court in relation to corrupt dealings in the county involving Ksh 588 million.
The twelve include Lucas Wahinya (chief officer roads, Kiambu County), and tender evaluation committee members Zakary Njenga Mbugua, Joyce Musyoka, Simon Kabocho, Anselm Gachukia, and Samuel Muigai.
Others are Charles Chege, and Beth Wangeci, who are directors of Testimony Enterprises Ltd.
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