A High Court judge in Nairobi has commuted the jail term of former TNA nominated Senator Joy Gwendo found guilty of stealing Sh1.7 million.
Justice John Onyiego handed Ms Gwendo a fine of Sh660,000 or a one year jail term for the theft.
Ms Gwendo had earlier been charged and sentenced for six months months in prison for issuing bad cheques but was relieved after the High court in Nairobi on Wednesday last week set aside the two-year jail term imposed on her.
In his ruling, Justice John Onyiego indicated that the trial court erred in law in sentencing her to jail without the option of a fine.
Justice Onyiego further added that the High Court has powers to review the sentencing and therefore she will be sentenced afresh on Monday March 4, 2019.
Gwendo was sentenced to a two-year jail term on December 7, 2018 after she was found guilty of abuse of office and fraud.
In the ruling, the court ordered that she be jailed without the option of a fine because of ‘hoodwinking the court.’
The court also found that the accused was dishonest.
On Counts 3 and 4 where she was charged with issuing a bad cheque; one amounting to Ksh.300,000 and another of Ksh.950,000, Gwendo was sentenced to six months in prison.
In her mitigation, Gwendo had told the court that she was remorseful and this was the reason why she opted to do the plea bargaining.
She added that she met her part of the bargain and showed willingness to meet the terms of the plea bargain.