The High Court of Kenya has overturned two-year jail term handed to former senator Joy Gwendo for Sh1.7 million fraud.
The court has ordered she be handed a new sentence.
Ms Gwendo, who had been handed down a two-year jail term by the anti-graft court’s Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti on December 7, was released on a Sh400, 000 cash bail by the High Court.
Justice Ngenye Macharia allowed a plea by Ms Gwendo to be admitted to bail after she filed a conviction and sentence review application.
The judge was informed that the convict had settled the Sh1.7 million debt that saw her jailed.
The former nominated was sentenced to serve a two-year jail term after being found guilty of fraud and abuse of office.
Gwendo failed to honour a plea bargain she entered into with the state to settle a Sh1.7 million debt.
The former lawmaker had pleaded guilty to abuse of office charges on August 6, 2018 before Mr Ogoti.
“..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,” Mr Ogoti said during his ruling last week.
The court said it found her dishonest and jailed her without the option of a fine for “hoodwinking the court.”
In mitigation, Ms Gwendo had told the court that she was remorseful and chose to enter into a plea bargain.