Senior Counsel Paul Muite wants his client Grace Wakhungu, sister to former Vice President Moody Awori to be released on bond pending an appeal in court.
The 79-year-old was sentenced to 69 years in jail and ordered to pay a fine of Ksh 707 million for stealing Ksh 300 million taxpayers' money through a maize scandal.
In his application in early July 2020, Muite argued that Wakhungu was ailing and undergoing treatment for hypertension. He added that this may have caused her to suffer from mental and physical breakdown.
“Her continued imprisonment, notwithstanding her age, medical condition, extra-ordinary circumstances of the case and overwhelming chances of success in the appeal is highly prejudicial to her, let alone that it cannot be undone by any legal relief,” Muite stated.
The attorney added that Wakhungu may have not understood what the fate of the sentencing meant as she may have been unable to stand trial out of her illness.
Muite cited that the suspect displayed worrying symptoms during her trial, from anxiety, long-lasting sadness and difficulty in concentrating.
The lawyer thus wants her released and to also undergo checkup in the presence of her doctor at Lang'ata Womens Prison where she is detained.
Wakhungu accused Chief magistrate Elizabeth Juma of heaping the burden of the scandal on her and making an outrageous ruling based on irrelevant considerations.
Her co-accused Sirisia MP John Waluke was jailed for 67 years and ordered to pay a fine of Ksh 727 million.
A 33-year-old tycoon and ODM aspirant Moses Nandwale has offered to bail out of jail.
