Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has asked the court for leniency in sentencing.
The defence urged the court to weigh individual roles, family responsibilities and time in custody when determining punishment.
Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu and his co-accused have sought leniency during Waititu sentencing proceedings before Magistrate Harrison Barasa. They cited family responsibilities, their roles in companies linked to the case and first-offender status.
During mitigation, Waititu apologised for his wrongdoing and asked the court to consider his personal circumstances. He also urged the magistrate to take account of his wife’s circumstances, describing both as first-time offenders.
Waititu sentencing pleas focus on individual roles
Waititu sought consideration over his role as a director of Saika Enterprises. He argued that the companies associated with the case operated before he became governor.
He also said his wife had limited involvement in Delta Hotel and did not handle its daily operations. The defence therefore asked the court to assess each accused individually rather than impose similar sentences.
Lawyers representing Susan Wangare said she neither signed for the company’s bank accounts nor benefited from the disputed transactions. They described her as a business partner and argued that no evidence showed her active participation in financial dealings.
Similarly, the defence described the fifth accused as a silent partner with no active operational role. Counsel urged the court to distinguish the women’s culpability from their husbands’ involvement.
Defence raises children’s welfare and custody time
The lawyers also highlighted Beth’s responsibilities as a young mother and sole breadwinner for her children. They said her husband was serving a sentence at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.
They argued that similarly severe prison terms for both spouses would leave their minor children bearing the consequences. In addition, the defence asked the court to factor in time already spent in custody.
Lawyers said Waititu had spent more than a year in prison. Meanwhile, the fourth accused had spent nearly two years behind bars, they told the court.
Chege seeks consideration for his wife
Charles Chege, a director of Testimony Enterprises Limited, also sought leniency for his wife. He said she held only one share when the company registered and had no bank-signatory role.
To support that submission, he referred to a bank letter presented in court. Chege also said the company had told the lower court it would accept responsibility for the transactions.
He added that his family struggled to pay a fine the lower court imposed on his wife. Chege said he was currently serving his prison term.
Through their lawyers, the accused expressed remorse and maintained they had not intended harm. Although the matter was before the Court of Appeal, counsel acknowledged that the convictions remained in force.
