Former Kenya Medical Research Institute ( KEMRI) Managing Director Davy Koech has been slapped with a fine of Sh 19.6 million or serve six years in prison for fraudulent acquisition of public funds.
The scientist was convicted by Senior Principal Magistrate Victor Wakumile.
Koech was accused of transferring sh 19.3 million from the organization's account to his personal bank account when he was Kemri boss.
The fund which had been allocated to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Kisumu was to fund his children's education abroad.
The magistrate said the fine will be paid in two tranches of 9.8 million starting October 15, 2021.
While sentencing Mr. Koech 70, the Magistrate invoked Article 29 of the Constitution noting the convict cannot be subjected to 'cruel treatment' by being handed over to the Prison authorities due to his age, maintaining the state " suffered no loss"
"Because of the current Covid-19 pandemic this court takes judicial notice of the difficult economic times people are undergoing through I find it fit to exercise my discretion and show mercy to Koech, now 70,” Mr Wakumile said in his judgement.
Mr Koech was facing three charges of fraud.
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