High Court Justice John Onyiego orders new sentencing for former Jubilee Nominated Senator Joy Gwendo

High court overturns 2 year jail term for ex-senator Joy Gwendo

Mark Mwithaga

February 27, 2019 1:24 PM

Relief for former senator Gwendo

Former Senator Joy Gwendo in court during a past hearing

The High Court on Wednesday revoked the two-year jail term sentence passed for former nominated Senator Joy Gwendo during her Sh1.7 million corruption case.

The move came after it was noted that Gwendo was not giving an option of a fine after the judgement was made in December 2018.

Former Senator Joy Gwendo in the dock Pulse Live Kenya

Justice John Onyiego ruled that the ex-senator’s case must be determined a new on March 4 where a new sentence will be issued to her.

“To that extent, I agree with the applicant that the court erred,” stated Onyiego.

Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti, who had passed the earlier sentence, had however ruled that the embattled Gwendo would be sent to prison without the option of a fine for deceiving the court when she failed to honor her plea bargain.

“…it is noteworthy that she executed a plea-bargaining agreement yet she was sure that she could not honour the same. She was hoodwinking the court and therefore lied to the court,” ruled Ogoti.

The former Jubilee politician had moved to the High Court to challenge the ruling made by Ogoti and secured her release on a cash bail of Sh400,000 as she awaited the decision on her appeal.

Gwendo confesses to charges of corruption

In January last year, Gwendo had been found guilty of forging a Sh200,000 cheque to Kivuli Development Initiative from a Kenya Commercial Bank account that was signed by Willy Kipkorir Bett.