Two MPs are facing sanctions over their eligibility to contest in the coming elections.
Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu and Makadara MP Gideon Mbuvi Sonko are among public officers the Ombudsman office wants barred from contesting for public office, on the grounds of misbehavior.
The two were declared unfit to hold public office by the chairman of Commission on Administrative Justice.
More Information
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu have both publicly accused officials from the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), commonly known as the Ombudsman, of having vested interests in their cases.
Their allegations stem from the Ombudsman’s recommendations that they be barred from public office, which they argue were influenced by personal or political motivations.
Background on the Allegations
In December 2012, the Ombudsman recommended to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) that both Sonko and Waititu be disqualified from running for public office.
The recommendation was based on complaints filed against them, including allegations of land grabbing and unlawful conduct. Waititu, in particular, accused the Ombudsman of bias, claiming that the then-chairman, Otiende Amollo, had a personal interest due to his familial ties to a political opponent.
Legal and Political Repercussions
Despite the Ombudsman’s recommendations, both Sonko and Waititu were cleared by the IEBC to run for office. However, their political careers faced significant challenges. Waititu was convicted in 2025 on corruption charges related to a Sh588 million road tender scandal during his tenure as governor.
He was sentenced to 12 years in prison or a fine of Sh53.7 million. Additionally, the High Court froze assets worth Sh1.9 billion linked to Waititu, alleging they were acquired through public funds.
Similarly, Sonko faced multiple investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over abuse of office, corruption, and unexplained wealth. He was accused of flouting procurement regulations and mismanaging public funds during his time as governor.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
Both former governors have contested their convictions and the actions taken against them. Waititu has applied for bond pending appeal, arguing that his case has a high chance of success and citing medical reasons for his request. The court is expected to deliver its ruling on this application soon.
Sonko, on the other hand, has filed a suit seeking to stop the EACC from investigating him, alleging that the commission’s actions are politically motivated and aimed at settling scores.
Public Perception and Political Implications
The allegations of vested interests by the Ombudsman and the subsequent legal battles have sparked debates about the integrity of anti-corruption institutions in Kenya. Some political figures and supporters of Sonko and Waititu view the actions against them as politically motivated, while others see them as necessary steps to uphold accountability in public office.
As the legal proceedings continue, the outcomes will likely have significant implications for the enforcement of anti-corruption laws and the political landscape in Kenya.
