By Samuel Ouma
Nairobi businesswoman Joyce Akinyi has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted in a prominent drug trafficking case.
The sentencing took place on January 9, 2025, at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) court, concluding a case led by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Akinyi, along with Congolese national Paulin Kalala and co-accused Peres Ochieng, was found guilty of running a complex narcotics trafficking operation.
In Count One, Akinyi was convicted of narcotics trafficking and received a 25-year prison sentence, along with a fine of Ksh9,018,000 ($70,000). Her co-accused, Kalala, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and also ordered to pay a similar fine.
Count Two involved Peres Ochieng, who is still at large. The court sentenced her to 25 years in prison and a fine of Ksh7,927,740 ($62,000). A warrant for Ochieng's arrest has been issued, and her sentence will commence upon her capture.
Additionally, Akinyi was found guilty of possessing a passport without a valid explanation, resulting in an additional two-year sentence, which will run concurrently with her drug trafficking sentence.