Activist in Court to Block Waititu's Appointment to Nairobi Rivers Commission by President Ruto

An activist has moved to court to challenge President Ruto’s move to appoint former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu to the Nairobi Rivers Commission.

Peter Odhiambo Agoro wants the court to quash the appointment and declare that Waititu is unfit to serve in the commission for failing to satisfy moral and ethical requirements.

The petitioner argues that Waititu lacks integrity and competence to hold the post as demanded by the Constitution, citing his pending Sh588 million graft case and his impeachment as Kiambu governor in 2020 over gross violation of the Constitution and abuse of a public office. 

“Mr Waititu is currently facing graft charges related to abuse of office, conflict of interest and dealing with suspect property. Courts have (previously) ruled that a person impeached through a political process is permanently barred from holding public office,” Agoro says.

The activist further cites a Sh1.94 billion forfeiture suit filed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) against Waititu, his wife Susan Wangari and their trading companies.

President Ruto announced the appointment of Waititu and eight others to the Nairobi Rivers Commission through a Gazette Notice dated December 2nd.

Ruto said the commission has been tasked to “reclaim the rivers of Nairobi as a spine to the city’s blue and green infrastructure for a better urban environment and quality of life.”

In addition, the team will examine previous reports and recommendations made to reclaim the Nairobi River and adopt lessons learned in the new initiative.

Other roles of the commission include monitoring compliance with the laws and regulations governing the environment of the Basin and its catchment areas as well as developing codes of conduct and proposing modalities for enforcement in partnership with the relevant stakeholders.

Members of the commission will serve for a three-year renewable once based on performance.