An Anti-Corruption Court in Malindi has sentenced 11 individuals and companies implicated in a Sh51 million corruption and money-laundering scheme involving Kilifi County officials.
In a sentencing decision rendered by Magistrate Elizabeth Usui, the court imposed fines and default prison sentences on the accused individuals following their conviction on April 17, 2026.
The case advanced to sentencing after the court reviewed pre-sentence reports submitted by probation officers.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) characterized the ruling as a significant milestone in efforts to recover public funds lost to corruption and money laundering schemes.
The court learned that the offenses were committed between September 19 and October 7, 2016, when officials of the Kilifi County Government unlawfully authorized payments totaling Sh51,569,775 to private companies for undelivered goods and services not performed.
During sentencing, the court noted it had considered the nature and seriousness of the offenses.
The magistrate observed that the scheme had caused substantial economic damage to the county and disrupted development projects meant to benefit residents.
She noted that a significant portion of the funds had been diverted for personal profit and remained unrecovered.
Simultaneously, the court considered mitigation arguments presented on behalf of the convicts.
“Each accused is the sole breadwinner in their family, and each bears the heavy responsibility of sustaining their immediate and extended family financially,” she stated in her ruling.
The court also considered their ages and personal circumstances as detailed in pre-sentence reports.
However, the magistrate emphasized that corruption and economic crimes remain prevalent in the country and necessitate deterrent sentencing to protect public resources.
“Under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, the court considered the severity of the offenses 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, along with mandatory financial penalties equivalent to the gains obtained from the offenses.
In case of non-payment, the convicts will serve prison terms ranging from 12 months to several years.
The court additionally ordered that all sentences imposed on each accused person would run consecutively, increasing the custodial exposure in case of non-payment.
The court also highlighted that some of the funds had been recovered in certain cases, though substantial amounts remained unaccounted for.
Magistrate Usui allowed all convicts 14 days within which to file an appeal.