Former Senator Joy Gwendo received a Sh660,000 fine following a High Court ruling that overturned her original two-year jail sentence for embezzling funds from the Kisumu East Cotton Growers Cooperative Society.
The case stemmed from allegations that Gwendo, while serving as a state officer, misappropriated Sh2,226,800 from the cooperative in October 2016 at Chiga parish in Kisumu East. She initially pleaded guilty to three fraud charges and agreed to repay the money in installments through a plea bargain with the prosecution.
Anti-Corruption chief magistrate Douglas Ogoti initially sentenced her to two years in prison without a fine option after she failed to meet repayment terms. However, Gwendo appealed, arguing the trial court erred in denying her the option of a fine. Justice John Onyiego granted the appeal, stating the original sentence was legally flawed.
Onyiego emphasized that while sentencing discretion rests with trial courts, imposed penalties must comply with legal standards. He ordered Gwendo to appear in court for further proceedings. The judge noted her claim of remorse and partial repayment of funds during deliberations.
