The Awori family has raised a whopping Sh. 800 million to bail out 79-year-old Grace Wakhungu who is in jail. The family went on record fr raising some Sh. 500 million in a record two hours after Grace was ailed for corruption.
At the same time, the family of Wakhungu’s co-accused, Sirisia MP John Waluke, has not been as lucky. According to a report that appeared in a local daily, the family has only managed to raise Sh. 250 million out of the Sh. 727,725,562 million fine that was slapped on the duo by the anti-corruption court. The corrupt duo was sentenced on June 25.
The court had jailed Waluke for 67 years in default of the fine while Wakhungu was jailed for 69 years in jail or a Sh. 707,725,562 million fine. Mrs. Wakhungu is the mother to former Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu. She has been serving time at the Lang’ata Women Prison. Te duo has appealed their cases which are set for a hearing on Friday.
People think I’m a millionaire but I live a dog’s life
“The two were handed the hefty sentences for their role in a maize import scandal which saw the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) lose Sh. 297 million in 2009. As they consider the appellate option, the families of the two convicts are racing against time to secure their freedom,” said a report that appeared in the People Daily on Monday..
The report said that due to the robust family network, a system was quickly put in place by the Wakhungu family to have money raised without delay. “In fact, we outdid ourselves by raising close to Sh. 800 million, being contributions from family members through the sale of assets locally and abroad, personal savings and ‘silent’ funds drives by friends,” it quoted a family member.
Wakhungu’s immediate family had raised Sh. 197 million. The immediate family consists of the former CS Judi and her siblings Ben Wakhungu and Susan Wakhungu-Githuku.
“A nephew of the jailed granny gave a donation of Sh100 million while her brother, former Vice President Moody Awori is said to have given his family’s and personal contribution of Sh. 135 million. Wakhungu’s sister, Dr Mary Okello, the founding director of Makini Schools, is said to have donated Sh. 28 million. The family and friends of Dennis Awori, a former Kenya ambassador to Japan and who has headed several blue chip companies, are said to have raised Sh. 15 million,” the report said.
It added; “The family of former Ugandan MP Aggrey Awori contributed Sh. 41 million, our sources disclosed. The families of Wakhungu’s deceased brothers Hannington Awori and Prof Nelson Awori are said to have contributed Sh. 93 million for their kin. Others who are said to have given contributions include family members Christine Hayanga, Henry Awori, Willis Awori and Ernest Awori who are reported to have raised a total of Sh. 54 million. A funds-drive organised by Wakhungu’s family members locally and abroad separately raised Sh. 236 million.”