The Milimani Law Courts on Tuesday rejected an application by businessman Honey Khatwani, a former director of Oki General Trading, who sought the release of his passport to travel to India. Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego ruled that Khatwani did not provide enough justification for the release of his travel document, which remains held in court as part of his bail conditions in a Ksh 356 million fraud case.
Khatwani, through his lawyer Kennedy Echesa, requested permission to travel to India on Saturday, August 2, 2025, for a 20-day trip, claiming it was for essential and official business linked to his main source of income.
The prosecution opposed the request, stating the accused had not shown any new reasons to change his bail terms.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) argued that it is in the interest of justice and public welfare to decline the request.
The DPP also noted Khatwani failed to provide proof that the trip was necessary or related to official business and that any travel plans should have been raised when the plea was entered, as no new facts were presented.
Echesa said his client was a first-time offender and that releasing the passport would not harm the prosecution’s case.
The court maintained its earlier order that the passport remain deposited with the court.
Khatwani is charged with stealing USD 2,786,174.40 (about Ksh 356,711,174) between January 1, 2020, and June 30, 2024, in Barbado, Nairobi County.
He was released on June 24, 2025, on a Ksh 5 million cash bail, with conditions requiring the surrender of his passport.
