Waititu On Why He Refused to Bail His Son After Arrest for Drunk Driving

Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has disclosed why he refused to bail out his son after he was arrested for drunk driving four weeks ago. 

Brian Ndung’u, a law student at Strathmore University was arrested on March 15th for driving under the influence of alcohol.

He was driving a Toyota Probox on Muindi Mbingu Street in Nairobi CBD at 1:30 am and was incapable of controlling the vehicle, according to a police report.

Appearing before Senior Principal Magistrate Esther Kimilu of Milimani law courts, he pleaded guilty to the charges and appealed for leniency, arguing that he was a first-time offender. 

The 25-year-old was fined Sh30,000 or serve a three-month jail term in default of payment of fine. Ndung'u spent two days in police custody until his friend Clinton Githinji paid the fine to secure his release after his family refused to bail him out.

In an interview with People Daily, Waititu said he instructed his family and friends not to pay the fine, saying he has warned him multiple times against drunk driving. 

“My boy Brian called me over 30 times and, I refused to pick his calls. I have always warned him and all my family members against drunk driving,” said Waititu.

“I hate drunk driving because I have seen very promising people lose their lives to carnage because of careless drivers. I could not take it that my son who I discipline is asking for Sh30,000 to pay a fine for drunk driving. He ought to suffer for that. I can never do that.” 

Waititu, who neither drinks nor smokes, wishes his son was sent to jail.

“I was shocked that my son was caught in such an embarrassing situation. I wish I had the powers to sentence instead of fining him. I wanted him to spend a few more days in jail,” he remarked.