A couple accused of defrauding several pension schemes in a multi-million-shilling scheme have been charged with 41 counts before a Kibera court.
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 prosecution alleges that the two, working together with other individuals who have not been brought before the court, participated in a scheme that involved fraudulently adding names to the payrolls of several pension schemes to obtain retirement benefits illegally.
According to the prosecution, the alleged scheme targeted pension arrangements linked to several established companies and public institutions, including Ernst & Young, Swissport, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), Nestlé, Cadbury and Nokia.
The court heard that the accused persons allegedly caused individuals who were not genuine beneficiaries to be presented as legitimate pension members. This was reportedly done to convince the affected pension schemes to release retirement payments and other related benefits to the individuals whose names had been irregularly included in their payroll systems.
The 41 charges against Nalwenje and Kamande include conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences and fraudulent false accounting.
They also face charges relating to the acquisition, possession and use of proceeds of crime under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, No. 9 of 2009.The prosecution told the court that the alleged activities involved several pension schemes and resulted in the loss of millions of shillings.
During the proceedings, the accused persons asked the court to release them on reasonable bail and bond terms as they await the hearing of their case.
The prosecution team, led by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Maryann Mwangi and Principal Prosecution Counsel Michael Mutune, did not oppose their applications for release.
However, the prosecution asked the magistrate to take into account the seriousness of the 41 charges when determining the conditions under which the accused persons would be released.
In her ruling, 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 option of cash bail set at KSh1 million.
The magistrate further imposed additional conditions requiring both accused persons to surrender their passports to the court.
They were also directed to report to the investigating officer once every month unless the court issues different instructions.
The conditions are intended to ensure that the two remain available to attend court proceedings as the case progresses.
The matter is scheduled for mention on November 17, 2026, when the court is expected to give pre-trial directions ahead of the next stage of the proceedings.
The case places several pension schemes associated with major companies and public institutions at the centre of a criminal investigation into alleged irregular payments and the handling of retirement benefits.
Nalwenje and Kamande remain out on the terms set by the court as the prosecution prepares to proceed with the case.
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