By Dorothy Musyoka
A Nairobi Anti-Corruption Court has sentenced former Kenyatta University official Dunston Indimuli Okello to 14 years in prison or a fine of KSh4,922,000 after finding him guilty of abuse of office and money laundering in a fraudulent scheme involving undelivered wheat flour worth KSh. 288,000.
Delivering the ruling, Chief Magistrate Hon. E. Nyutu convicted Okello on both charges, emphasizing that his actions breached public trust and amounted to economic crimes.
“For abuse of office, he was fined KSh. 900,000 or serve a term of seven years in prison, with an additional mandatory fine of KSh. 1,022,000. On the money laundering charge, he received a KSh. 3,000,000 fine or serve a seven-year jail term,” the ODPP noted.
The Prosecution Team, led by Ms. Celestine Oluoch and Ms. Linda Otieno, demonstrated that between August 20 and September 30, 2019, Okello then in charge of Central Food Stores at Kenyatta University falsely certified the delivery of 200 bales of wheat flour to the institution, despite no actual delivery taking place.
He fraudulently signed Verification Certificate Serial Number 56888 for Metnetwork Solutions, facilitating the illegal payment.
“Dunston Indimuli Okello, while serving as the in-charge of Central Food Stores at Kenyatta University, improperly certified the delivery of 200 bales of wheat flour worth Ksh. 288,000, which were not delivered, by signing Verification Certificate Serial Number 56888 for Metnetwork Solutions,” added the ODPP.
The prosecution called thirteen witnesses to testify, presenting strong evidence that led to Okello’s conviction.
The court found that his actions constituted gross misconduct and financial impropriety, warranting a severe penalty.