Editor's Review

  • Waititu was impeached over corruption allegations in Kiambu county.
  • He is seeking to replace Mike Sonko who was impeached by the county assembly.  

Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has made a comeback into the political field. 

This is after Waititu was cleared by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) to vie for the Nairobi gubernatorial by-election slated for February 18, 2021, as an independent candidate.

Waititu was cleared after certifying his high mast/floodlight symbol does not belong to any registered political party.

“According to the records held by this office, Ferdinand Ndungu Waititu, ID No. 4307917 is not a member of a fully registered political party as of December 28, 2020,” the registrar said.

It is, however, unclear whether IEBC will clear him to contest in the February 18 Nairobi governorship race owing to his pending corruption case in court.

Waititu, his wife, and eight county officials are facing charges in an Sh580 million graft scandal in which the family is said to have received kickbacks from suppliers in the county.

Part of the qualifications outlined by the electoral body that need to be met before clearing a candidate to vie for governorship is that one must not have been found to have abused or misused state or public office or contravened Chapter Six of the Constitution; and also must not have been dismissed or removed from public office for contravening the provisions of Articles 75, 76, 77 and 78 of the Constitution.

Waititu now joins lawyer Miguna Miguna in the race for the Nairobi seat. Miguna who is currently in exile will run on the Thirdway Alliance ticket.