Wamuzi News KeA Nairobi court was rocked Monday by an explosive court appearance: company director Honey Khatwani stands accused of siphoning a staggering KSh 356 million from his own business.
Khatwani, a director at OKI General Trading Limited, appeared before Milimani Law Courts Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego, where he was formally charged with embezzling USD 2,786,174.40—equivalent to roughly KSh 356,711,174.40—over a four‑and‑a‑half‑year period ending June 30, 2024, at a company branch in Barbado, Nairobi County.
The prosecution painted a dramatic picture of a trusted executive who allegedly exploited his position, diverting company funds into personal coffers. They urged the court to treat Khatwani as a significant flight risk, noting the sheer scale of the alleged fraud and demanding that his passport and other travel documents be surrendered.
In a bid to sway the court, Khatwani’s counsel, Kennedy Echesa, emphasized his client’s deep roots in Kenya: a family, local residence, and a previously set bail bond at KSh 200,000, all suggesting he would not abscond. “The accused is innocent until proven otherwise,” Echesa told the court, urging Magistrate Alego to maintain lenient bond conditions.
Tension rose in the courtroom as Khatwani plead ill health and sought permission to be treated at Avenue Hospital. His defense team echoed this plea, urging the court to factor in his medical condition alongside his family obligations.
But the prosecution remained unyielding. Beyond citing the massive monetary value at stake, they warned that leaving Khatwani out on bail without strict travel restrictions could lead to a disappearance abroad .
Magistrate Alego has reserved her ruling on the bail application. A decision is expected Tuesday, and it could determine whether Khatwani remains confined or walks free pending a full trial.
This case marks a significant escalation in corporate fraud in Kenya, spotlighting the vulnerabilities businesses face when trusted insiders betray that trust. With nearly KSh 360 million allegedly misappropriated, the outcome of today’s proceedings will set a crucial precedent—either tightening judicial scrutiny on corporate directors or reaffirming the rights of the accused under Kenyan law.
