Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu will remain in remand after a Nairobi court declined to release him on bail in a hate speech case.
The matter came up for mention at the Milimani Law Courts on Thursday, January 15, but was postponed after Waititu’s lawyer failed to attend the hearing. As a result, the court ruled that the former governor would continue to be held in custody until the next court date.
In declining the bail request, the judge cited the seriousness of the allegations facing Waititu, noting that releasing him at this stage could interfere with witnesses and ongoing investigations.
The application had been based on personal and health-related grounds, but the court found the risks too significant to allow his release.
Waititu is facing hate speech charges over remarks he is alleged to have made, which authorities say had the potential to incite tension and hostility.
The former governor served as Kiambu County boss from 2017 until January 2020, when he was impeached over corruption allegations. In February 2025, he was convicted in a KSh588 million graft case involving fraudulent tenders and kickbacks.
He was sentenced to 12 years in prison or fined KSh53 million, in addition to being barred from holding public office for 10 years.
After failing to pay the fine, Waititu began serving his sentence but later appealed and sought release on health grounds.
On August 1, 2025, the court granted him bond after two earlier attempts were rejected.
His hate speech case is expected to resume on a later date to be set by the court.
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