Waititu: Forgotten and Overlooked by Ruto Despite Campaign Support
In his heyday as governor of Kiambu, Ferdinand Waititu was a brash man of means.
Then, on December 19, 2019, the county assembly removed him from office, accusing him of stealing over Sh588 million from county coffers through proxies and friends.
Later, the Senate upheld the impeachment.
Mr. Waititu has been in court since then attempting to clear his name.
On May 7, 2020, the former governor told the Nation that things had gone wrong for him and that people he believed to be his friends had abandoned him; he realized he had only sycophants, no friends.
“I have a better grasp of politics now. When I was governor of Kiambu, I received numerous calls from individuals, particularly politicians, requesting various favors. Mr. Waititu lamented at the time, “I built some of their careers and helped them win, but they no longer return my calls.”
“I have ceased to contact them, but such is the nature of politics. People will contact you when you are in a position to assist them, but not when you are powerless,” he continued.
Things appear to have deteriorated for the former Kabete member of parliament, who now claims that even some of his friends, with whom he campaigned for President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, are attempting to remove him from power.
“I am among those who campaigned for President Ruto and his vice president. I even donated my cars, including a Toyota Tundra with so many modifications that it was commonly known as “The Beast.” Now I am a man living alone, and it appears I have been forgotten. Mr. Waititu told GossipA2Z on Sunday, “Those close to the President do not want me to speak to him directly.”
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The vehicle is one of his assets that the High Court recently authorized the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to seize because they were proceeds of corruption while he served as MP for Kabete and governor of Kiambu.
According to court documents, the frozen assets, which include automobiles, land, and other properties, are worth Sh1.9 billion.
Mr. Waititu believes that some of his problems stem from his support for President Ruto’s presidential campaign.
He claims that the Delta Hotel and the former Jamii Bora building were financed by two banks, and he is prepared to provide evidence.
Very few guests frequent the hotel. Some of the fixtures have developed rust.
We sat on sofas on the hotel’s first floor.
There is no display of ostentation, and the once-powerful politician’s political capital appears to have diminished.
When his phone does ring, he must inquire as to who is on the other end.
Unlike in the past, when he was accompanied by bodyguards and ardent supporters. He was accompanied by only three friends, one of whom was a former ward representative, this time.
Mr. Waititu is reticent to speak freely for the majority of the interview. But you can tell he wants to say something without upsetting the leaders of his party, UDA.
After extensive interrogation, he finally speaks freely.
“You see, the President promised that, upon assuming office, he would ensure that all cases that were politically motivated during the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta would be thrown out or withdrawn, and I have witnessed the majority of those cases being thrown out and the accused being cleared. Mr. Waititu says, “I am now wondering what happened to me because in some cases in which I was involved, witnesses recanted their testimony in court.”
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Two months before the general election. When he endorsed President Ruto and Mr Kenyatta unleashed the EACC against him, he believes his problems intensified.
The Law Society of Kenya went to the High Court and obtained a temporary injunction. Barring him from assuming his position on the Nairobi River Commission. Because he had been legally impeached and was no longer fit to hold public office.
Mr. Waititu became a laughingstock in Githunguri, Kiambu, on August 21, 2022. When President Ruto and his deputy Gachagua attended a thanksgiving service for Githunguri MP Gathoni wa Muchomba. At PCEA Church Gathiruini.
Mr. Waititu was not invited when Mr. Gachagua assembled the top Mt Kenya leaders. Including Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, Naivasha MP Jane Kihara. Former Kandara MP Alice Wahome, and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah. Who were tasked by the UDA to oppose Mr. Kenyatta during the campaigns.
As he continues to fight to clear his name, the former governor says he has now found comfort in his family.
Mr. Waititu says, “I have very few friends at this time, and my two wives and children are the ones who are closest to me.”
Waititu: Forgotten and Overlooked by Ruto Despite Campaign Support
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