The larger Awori family has raised a whopping Sh800 million in a bid to secure the freedom of one of their own according to a report by the People Daily. Grace Wakhungu, who is mother to former Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu, was handed 69 years in jail or a Sh707,725,562 million fine after the court found her guilty in a corruption case.
However, the family of her co-accused, Sirisia MP John Waluke has only managed to raise Sh250 million out of the Sh727,725,562 million fine imposed by the anti-corruption court during the duo’s sentencing on June 25 according to sources.
Both are currently serving time, Waluke is serving time at Kamiti Maximum Prison while Wakhungu, 79, is languishing at the Lang’ata Women Prison.
They are awaiting the hearing of an application by their legal teams to be released on bond pending appeal. The hearing is set for this Friday.
The two were found guilty of being perpetrators in a maize import scandal that saw the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) lose Sh297 million in 2009.
“The sentencing of granny is not something that was taken lightly by Wakhungu’s siblings, both here in Kenya and Uganda… In fact, we outdid ourselves by raising close to Sh800 million, being contributions from family members through the sale of assets locally and abroad, personal savings and ‘silent’ funds drives by friends,” a source from the family told the publication.
“However, we are somehow stuck, because we have the amount ready but the DPP, EACC and KRA are sending threats our way.”
Wakhungu’s immediate family, that is former CS Judi and her siblings Ben Wakhungu and Susan Wakhungu-Githuku are said to have raised Sh197 million alone.
