Kabete Member of Parliament Ferdinand Waititu has explained why his two names, Ferdinand and Clifford, have been a centre of controversy regarding the authenticity of his academic certificates.
Speaking during a public meeting in Thika Town, Waititu stated that he was raised by a single mother for 12 years and during that period he used his maternal grandfather’s name.
The MP added that he later returned to his patriarchal home where he started using his father’s name and that was how the confusion came about.
“For 12 years I was brought up by a single mother and that is why my names are that confusing because at one time I was called by my grandfather’s name from my mother’s side. Then when we came back to my father’s side, I started using my father’s name. That is why people find my name as something sinister,[sic]” Waititu said.
His sentiments come after Kiambu Governor William Kabogo challenged in court the credibility of Waititu’s certificates, claiming that he had information to prove that the legislator did not go past the primary school level.
In an affidavit, Kabogo accused the Kabete MP of impersonation pointing out that Waititu’s papers bore the name Clifford, yet his other official documents contained the name Ferdinand.
“It is an indisputable fact that prior to the affidavit dated January 11, 2013 the respondent Ferdinand Ndung’u Waititu was known from birth by the said name and has never changed his name to anything else and has always been known by the same name in all his interactions and transactions,” Kabogo stated in the court document.
“Clifford Ndung’u Waititu is a different person from the respondent and has always been a separate person with specific identity from the time of birth to completion of primary and secondary education,” the Governor added.
Waititu rubbished Kabogo’s allegations and vowed to present over 50 of his former classmates in court, to prove the authenticity of his education background.
He said that he would parade his colleagues from Primary School to University hence demonstrate that he indeed attended school.
The lawmaker added that he is currently at Kenya Methodist University (KeMU) undertaking a Masters programme.
