Indian National Charged in Ksh 356M Theft Released on Bail
Through his lawyer Ken Echesa, he told the court the court that the prosecution is using constructive opposition to bail,
An Indian national who was charged with stealing Ksh 356 million from his employer has been released on bond of Ksh 10 million.
While releasing him, Milimani senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego noted that the accused person was a foreigner and ordered him to produce two sureties of a similar amount.
The magistrate also granted an option of cash bail of Ksh 10 million with two Kenyan contact persons.
She further ordered him to deposit his travel documents in court.
Honey Khatwani appeared before the same court yesterday, facing charges of stealing the said money from Oki General Trading Limited, which came into his possession through his employment.
The prosecution informed the court that the offence occurred on various dates between January 1, 2020, and June 30, 2024, during which he stole USD 2,786,206 (approximately Ksh 356,711,174) of the property of Oki General Trading Limited in Baba Dogo, Nairobi.
He denied the charges and prayed the court to be released on lenient bond terms saying he is not a flight risk.
State prosecutors Victor Owiti jointly with Hillary Isiakho did not oppose the release of the accused person on bond but prayed for stringent terms saying the accused is a foreigner and hence a flight risk,
“Your honor, I pray the court puts stringent terms since the accused is a foreigner and a flight risk. We do not oppose his release on bond but we ask for terms that commensurate with the charges,” Owiti said.
Owiti further requested the court to give an order for the accused to deposit his passport in court.
Through his lawyer Ken Echesa, he told the court the court that the prosecution is using constructive opposition to bail,
“Your honor request by the prosecution for stringent terms is like denying him bond and against the law that states the accused to be granted reasonable terms,” Echesa said.
The lawyer told the court that the accused person stays in the country with his family and claiming he is a flight risk is a mere allegation since no evidence was produced to prove the same.
He added that the figures are unattested and should not be considered,
“Your honor the term seriousness of the offence cannot be the ground to deny him reasonable terms,” the lawyer stated.
