The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Court has sentenced three Kenya Airways staff to 25 years in prison over a Ksh 60 million heroin trafficking case.
“The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Court handed the sentences to Lennox Chengek Chestit, a cabin crew member; Kenneth Sinzore Isundu, a ground staffer; and Alfric Odhiambo Otieno, also a cabin crew member.
In addition to the custodial sentence, each was ordered to pay heavy fines ranging between KSh 88 million and KSh 90 million. In default, they will serve an additional one-year sentence, to run concurrently.
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The convictions stem from two counts of trafficking in narcotic drugs. In the first count, Chestit and Isundu were found guilty of trafficking 9,845.70 grams of heroin valued at KSh 29,537,100. In the second count, Otieno and Isundu were convicted of trafficking 20 kilograms of heroin worth KSh 60 million. Senior Principal Magistrate Njeri Thuku ordered that Isundu’s sentences run concurrently,” said DPP
Issuing the ruling, the judge denied a request by the accused to serve a non-custodial sentence, saying that the parameters of such a request were not met.
“All three asked the court for a non-custodial sentence, but the court is bound by the Community Service Orders Act. Drug trafficking offences do not fit the parameters for non-custodial sentencing,” said Senior Principal Magistrate Njeri Thuku.
She continued by saying that by charges are serious, given that they were employees of Kenya Airways, an act that damaged the airline’s reputation.
“To see employees of Kenya Airways themselves involved in drug trafficking is more damaging than any of them possibly imagined,” she said
“This verdict sends a clear message that no individual or institution is beyond the reach of the law,” the DPP stated. “The ODPP will continue to work tirelessly to protect Kenya’s borders, safeguard public institutions, and ensure that those who undermine national security face the full force of justice.” said DPP Renson Ingonga
