Court hands fines, jail terms in Sh51m Kilifi graft case

An Anti-Corruption Court in Malindi has sentenced 11 individuals and companies linked to a Sh51 million corruption and money-laundering scheme involving some Kilifi County officials.

In a sentencing decision delivered by Magistrate Elizabeth Usui, the court imposed fines and default custodial sentences on the accused persons following their conviction on April 17, 2026. 

The matter proceeded to sentencing after the court considered pre-sentence reports filed by probation officers.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) described the ruling as a significant milestone in efforts to recover public funds lost through corruption and money laundering schemes.

The court heard that the offences were committed between September 19 and October 7, 2016, during which officials of the Kilifi County Government unlawfully authorised payments totalling Sh51,569,775 to private companies for goods not supplied and services not rendered.

In sentencing, the court said it had considered the nature and gravity of the offences.

The magistrate noted that the scheme had caused significant economic harm to the county and undermined development projects intended to benefit residents. 

She observed that a substantial portion of the funds had been diverted for personal gain and had not been refunded.

At the same time, the court considered mitigation presented on behalf of the convicts.

"Each accused is a sole breadwinner in their family, and each is carrying the enormous burden of keeping their immediate and extended family financially afloat," she stated in her ruling.

The court also took into account their ages and personal circumstances as outlined in pre-sentence reports.

However, the magistrate emphasised that corruption and economic crimes remain widespread in the country and require deterrent sentencing to protect public resources.

“In sentencing under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, the court has taken into account the severity of the offences and the need to deter similar conduct,” the ruling stated.

Each accused was sentenced to pay fines ranging from Sh200,000 to Sh2 million per count, alongside mandatory financial penalties equivalent to the benefits derived from the offences.

In default of payment, the convicts will serve prison terms ranging from 12 months to several years.

The court further ordered that all sentences imposed on each accused person will run consecutively, increasing the custodial exposure in default of payment.

The court also highlighted that some of the funds had already been recovered in certain counts, though significant portions remained unaccounted for.

Magistrate Usui granted all convicts 14 days within which to lodge an appeal.