Former senator Gwendo’s jail term swapped with fine

The High Court has reviewed a prison sentence meted on former nominated senator Joy Gwendo (pictured).

She has been granted the option of paying a Sh660,000 fine. Ms Gwendo had been jailed for two years in December last year.

But if she defaults, Gwendo will spend another one year behind bars.

Yesterday, Justice John Onyiego said it was wrong for the trial magistrate to impose a jail term without the option of a fine. 

Stole money

“The former legislator has informed the court that the money she stole had been fully paid,” said Mr Onyiego.

He ruled that a fine will be the most appropriate so as to send a message to the public that crime does not pay.

Gwendo had appealed against the decision by Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti who jailed her for two years on December 7, 2018 without the option of a fine.

Ogoti handed her the sentence saying that she failed to honour a plea bargain she entered with the State to pay a Kisumu Sacco Sh1.7 million.

“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,” ruled Ogoti.