Blow to former IEBC CEO James Oswago as Supreme Court upholds sentence in Ksh.1.3B scandal

The Supreme Court upheld the sentences given to former IEBC officials James Oswago and Wilson Sholei. found guilty For the award of irregular tender worth Ksh 1.3 billion for the supply of voter materials in the 2013 General Elections.

Delivering the verdict on Wednesday, Judge Nixon Sifuna ruled that the prosecution had proven its case against former IEBC CEO Oswago and former Deputy Commission Secretary for Support Services Wilson Kiprotich Shollei.

The two were ordered to pay a fine of Ksh each in December 2022. 7.5 million people or defaulters are sentenced to a total of 4 years in prison for two crimes. Senior Chief Magistrate Felix Kombo found the two officials guilty of abuse of power and willful failure to comply with procurement laws.

Following their conviction and sentence, the duo appealed to the Supreme Court to appeal the lower court’s decision.

However, in his ruling, Judge Sifuna stated that the duo had a responsibility to ensure compliance with procurement laws. Justice Sifuna noted that procurement laws are not superficial.

Prof. “These penalties are neither harsh, excessive, illegal, nor unreasonable,” Sifina said. he said.

The judge also said there was no basis or justification for overturning the lower court’s decision.

In the ‘Chicken gate’ scandal, where illegal deals were said to have been made to secure lucrative printing contracts under the code name ‘Chicken’, IEBC was accused of improperly awarding the tender for the supply of Electronic Voter Identification Devices (EVID). Face Technologies Ltd. Kits and Accessories for

Oswago and Kiprotich were accused along with Edward Kenga Karisa and Willy Gachanja Kamanga, who were acquitted on the grounds that no charges were filed against them.