Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu’s legal woes have deepened after prosecutors filed new criminal charges against him, despite his ongoing jail term.
On Tuesday, November 11, Waititu, currently incarcerated at Kamiti Maximum Prison, was arraigned over remarks he allegedly made during a political rally at Ruiru Stadium, Kiambu County, on September 29, 2024. The fresh charges mark yet another chapter in the embattled former governor’s long string of court battles.
According to prosecutors, Waititu’s statements during the event were provocative and could have incited public unrest. Court filings indicate that he said, “If Gachagua goes home, then President Ruto must also go,” a remark that authorities claim was meant to sow division among the public.
The prosecution argued that his words targeted various social groups, including hustlers, market traders, boda boda operators, and members of the clergy, with the potential to create tension across the country.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) stated that the former county boss would be charged under Section 94(1) of the Penal Code, which criminalises speech or conduct likely to disturb public peace. A hearing in the case is scheduled for next week.
Waititu is currently serving a 12-year sentence after being found guilty of conflict of interest and dealing in suspect property during his tenure as Kiambu governor. The conviction also barred him from holding public office for ten years, effectively cutting short his political career.
Despite several appeals, Waititu has been unable to secure his release. His most recent attempt in September 2025 was dismissed by the High Court for failing to meet the required bank guarantee. Justice Lucy Njuguna, in her ruling, criticised the repeated applications, saying they amounted to attempts to frustrate the judicial process.
Earlier in February, the former governor had briefly tasted freedom after being released on a Ksh53 million bond pending his appeal. However, his hopes were dashed when the appeal failed to overturn his conviction, sending him back to prison.
Once a powerful political figure in Kiambu, Waititu’s fall from grace continues to unfold through a string of legal defeats. As he faces yet another trial this time over alleged incitement, it remains uncertain whether the new case will compound his troubles or spark fresh debate about his contentious political legacy.
