A couple has been charged with 41 counts linked to an alleged multi-million-shilling pension fraud scheme involving several retirement benefit schemes in Kenya.
Alex Okoth Nalwenje and his wife, Esther Nyambura Kamande, appeared before Kibera Chief Magistrate Stella Atambo, where they denied all the charges brought against them by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The two pleaded not guilty and asked the court to release them on reasonable bail and bond terms as they prepare to defend themselves against the allegations.
The charges include conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences and fraudulent false accounting. They also face offences relating to the acquisition, possession and use of proceeds of crime under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2009.
According to the prosecution, the accused persons allegedly worked together with other individuals who have not been brought before the court to manipulate the payroll records of several pension schemes.
The prosecution claims that names were irregularly added to the payrolls, with the individuals presented as genuine beneficiaries who were entitled to receive retirement benefits.
The alleged scheme targeted pension arrangements linked to several organisations, including Ernst & Young, Swissport, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), Nestlé, Cadbury and Nokia.
Prosecutors told the court that the alleged beneficiaries were falsely presented as eligible pension recipients, creating the impression that they were entitled to retirement and other related payments.
This allegedly prompted the affected pension schemes to release funds to individuals who, according to the prosecution, did not qualify for the benefits.
The 41 charges arise from the alleged activities involving the different pension schemes, although the prosecution is yet to prove the accusations against the two accused persons.
The prosecution team was led by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Maryann Mwangi and Principal Prosecution Counsel Michael Mutune.
During the bail proceedings, the prosecution did not oppose the couple's applications for release but asked the court to take into account the seriousness of the charges when setting the terms.
After considering the applications, Magistrate Atambo granted Nalwenje a bond of Ksh3 million.
His wife, Kamande, was granted a bond of Ksh1 million with one surety of a similar amount. The court also provided an alternative cash bail option of Ksh1 million.
In addition to the financial terms, both accused persons were directed to surrender their passports and report to the investigating officer once every month, unless the court issues different directions.
The conditions are intended to ensure that the accused persons remain available as the case proceeds through the judicial process.
The matter will be mentioned on November 17, 2026, for pre-trial directions, when the court is expected to give further instructions on how the case will proceed.
