James Oswago, the former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chief executive, was dealt a blow after the High Court upheld his conviction and four-year sentence.
This comes after he was found guilty of irregular awarding of a Ksh1.3 billion tender for the supply of voter materials for the 2013 General Elections.
In 2022, James Oswago was found guilty alongside former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Deputy Commission Secretary in charge of Support Services Wilson Kiprotich Shollei.
magistrate Felix Kombo convicted the two on two counts of willful failure to comply with procurement laws.
Oswago and Shollei however went on to file separate appeals at the High Court to challenge their conviction.
They argued that the evidence presented against them was insufficient.
Making the ruling, Justice Nixon Sifuna maintained that the prosecution had provided enough grounds to convict the duo.
“As for the sentences, they were not harsh, not too lenient nor illegal. I therefore find no basis or justification for disturbing the sentences as imposed.’’
Justice Sifuna further added that the two were supposed to have maintained a high-level of accountability particularly because of how highly-charged elections in Kenya can be.
Oswago and Shollei will now be subjected to a fine of KSh 7.5 million or a four-year jail term each.
