The ruling was delivered on Tuesday, September 16, by Lady Justice Lucy Njuguna, who found that Waititu’s appeal lacked valid grounds.
The former governor had filed an application on August 28, asking the court to quash both his conviction and sentence over a Ksh588 million corruption case.
The court sided with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who strongly opposed the bid to free Waititu.
According to the prosecution, the appeal was weak and failed to show any mistake in law or fact made during the trial.
This ruling means that Waititu will remain at Kamiti Maximum Prison, where he has been serving his term.
He had earlier been released on Ksh53 million bond, but later failed to meet strict conditions attached to it, including depositing a bank guarantee.
Waititu’s legal troubles began in February 2025, when the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court found him guilty of irregularly receiving Ksh25 million linked to a flawed tender.
The court ruled that he abused his office and betrayed the trust of the people by failing to safeguard public resources.
Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki, who presided over the trial, gave Waititu two options—either pay a fine of Ksh53.5 million or serve a 12-year jail term.
Alongside the jail sentence, he was also barred from holding any public office for the next 10 years.
His wife, Susan Wangare, was also convicted in the same case and fined Ksh500,000 or serve one year in prison.
The High Court’s decision has sparked fresh debate on corruption cases involving senior politicians.
Supporters of the ruling say it shows progress in the fight against graft, while others argue that the punishment is too harsh for a first-term governor.
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