Man Charged with Stealing Over Ksh.356M from His Own Company

A Nairobi-based company director has been charged with stealing over Ksh.356 million from his own firm.

Honey Khatwani, a director at OKI General Trading Limited, appeared before Milimani Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego on Monday, where he was accused of stealing $2,786,174.40 (approximately Ksh.356,711,174.40) between January 1, 2020, and June 30, 2024.

The alleged theft occurred at Barbado in Nairobi County, where Khatwani is said to have unlawfully taken the funds in his capacity as a company director.

In court, Khatwani pleaded for lenient bail terms, insisting that he is not a flight risk and has family residing in Kenya. Represented by lawyer Kennedy Echesa, the accused argued that he should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

“The accused is innocent until proven otherwise, and we urge the court to consider this while determining the bond terms,” Echesa told the court.

The prosecution, however, urged the court to factor in the magnitude of the alleged fraud, arguing that Khatwani could flee due to the significant amount of money involved. They also requested that he be ordered to surrender his travel documents.

Khatwani’s defense noted that he had already been released on a Ksh.200,000 cash bail at the time of his arrest and asked the court to retain the same bond conditions.

The accused also informed the court that he was unwell and requested permission to seek treatment at Avenue Hospital.

Magistrate Dolphina Alego is set to rule on the bail application on Tuesday.

In other news:Kenya Secures Ksh.16.4B Loan for Environmental Conservation Drive

Man Charged with Stealing Over Ksh.356M from His Own Company