Wilson shollei, a former IEBC officer, is now free after paying a Ksh 7.5 million fine handed by a corruption court for his role in the Ksh 1.3 billion tender for the procurement of 2013 General Election materials.
Shollei, who began serving his seven-year sentence in the Nairobi Remand Prison for the chicken gate scandal, was released after successfully raising the fine.
The convict had been found guilty together with former IEBC CEO James Oswago for abuse of office and wilful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement.
They were both ordered to pay a Ksh 7.5 million fine or serve seven years in prison for the graft.
Shollei, who was dissatisfied with the judgment and sentence, petitioned High Court Judge Esther Maina for bail pending appeal.
However, on Thursday, December 15, Shollei dropped the application after paying the fine.
His lawyer informed the court that he has subsequently been released and wanted to alter the application now before the court.
As a result, Justice Maina granted Shollei’s request to withdraw the application and to alter his appeal disputing the conviction and sentencing.
The trial court found that the prosecution established its case against the two beyond a reasonable doubt.
Magistrate Kombo stated that it was the responsibility of Oswago and Shollei to inform the commission plenary session on the acquisition of the devices, and that any alterations would have needed contract revision to be authorized by the tender committee.
In condemning them, the magistrate described their actions as deliberate and willful.
