Three Kenya Airways employees have been sentenced to 25 years in prison each after being found guilty of trafficking heroin valued at over Ksh.60 million, marking a significant victory for the State in its fight against drug trafficking.
The ruling was delivered on Friday by the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Court, where Senior Principal Magistrate Njeri Thuku handed down the stiff penalties to cabin crew members Lennox Chengek Chestit and Alfric Odhiambo Otieno, along with ground staffer Kenneth Sinzore Isundu.
In addition to the prison terms, the court imposed fines ranging between Ksh.88 million and Ksh.90 million. Should the convicts fail to pay, they will serve an additional one-year sentence, to run concurrently with the 25-year term.
The trio was convicted on two counts of trafficking narcotic drugs.
In the first count, Chestit and Isundu were found guilty of smuggling 9,845.70 grams of heroin worth Ksh.29,537,100.
In the second count, Otieno and Isundu were convicted for trafficking a 20-kilogram consignment valued at Ksh.60 million. Magistrate Thuku directed that Isundu’s sentences run concurrently.
All three had appealed for non-custodial sentences, but the court rejected their pleas.
“Drug trafficking offences do not fit the parameters for non-custodial sentencing,” Magistrate Thuku ruled, adding that the offences violated the spirit of the Community Service Orders Act.
She further criticised the convicts for damaging the reputations of both Kenya Airways and the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA).
“To see employees of Kenya Airways involved in drug trafficking is more damaging than any of them possibly imagined,” she noted.
Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga welcomed the judgment, calling it a major step in dismantling criminal networks that target strategic national institutions. He commended prosecutors Norah Otieno, Kennedy Panyako, and Rono Paula for their diligence throughout the eight-year trial.
“This verdict sends a clear message that no individual or institution is beyond the reach of the law,” said Ingonga. “The ODPP will continue working to protect Kenya’s borders, safeguard public institutions, and ensure that those who undermine national security face the full force of justice.”
Chestit was 26 at the time of arrest, Otieno 27, and Isundu 45. Their sentencing marks the conclusion of a lengthy case now viewed as a milestone in Kenya’s efforts to curb drug trafficking through its international airports.
Source: Citizen Digital
Written By Rodney Mbua
