Former Kiambu County Governor Ferdinand Waititu alias Baba Lao was today tasked to explain how he sold a parcel of land to a contractor who was later awarded Sh588m tender by the county.
The former Kiambu County Boss is accused of illegally acquiring over Sh20 million from Testimony Enterprises Ltd which was awarded the tender between July 2, 2018, and March 13, 2019, during Waititu’s tenure.
The awarded tender was for upgrading various gravel roads in Thika, Limuru, Gatundu North, Juja and Ruiru sub-counties during the 2017-2018 financial year.
Waititu told trial Magistrate Thomas Nzyoki that the Ksh 20M received from Testimony were proceeds of land he sold to Testimony Enterprise Director Charles Chege.
He produced in court a power of attorney dated April 2018 which indicated that the owner of the land had been permitted by her children to dispose of the property to Waititu.
The prosecution challenged the power of attorney saying that Waititu sold the land before he acquired it.
The court heard that records show Waititu sold the land to chege on 3 January 2018 meaning he sold it before acquiring the power of attorney.
In the case, Waititu, his wife Susan Wangari, Testimony Enterprises, its directors and others were in 2019 charged over the irregular award of Sh588,198,328.20 road tender in Kiambu County.
The case will proceed next month.
