The High Court has overturned a two-year prison sentence for former senator Joy Gwendo, replacing it with a Sh600,000 fine. The ruling stems from a judicial review of her 2019 conviction for embezzlement and abuse of office.
Justice John Onyiego ruled that Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti erred by not providing Gwendo with the option of a fine instead of incarceration. The court now mandates Gwendo to pay Sh600,000 or serve one year in jail.
Ogoti had initially sentenced Gwendo to two years for fraud and abuse of office after finding her guilty. The case centered on allegations she forged a Sh200,000 cheque from a Kenya Commercial Bank account, payable to Kivuli Development Initiative, bearing the signature of Willy Kipkorior Bett.
In a plea deal, Gwendo agreed to repay the Sh1.7 million in four installments, pleading guilty to abuse of office while the prosecution dropped charges of theft and issuing bad checks.
