A Nairobi couple has been charged with 41 counts linked to an alleged multi-million-shilling pension fraud scheme targeting several pension schemes associated with major companies and public institutions.
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.
The prosecution alleges that the two, alongside other individuals who are yet to be charged, orchestrated a fraudulent scheme through which names were irregularly entered into the payrolls of several pension schemes to facilitate the illegal acquisition of retirement benefits.
According to the prosecution, the affected pension schemes include those associated with 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 individuals were allegedly presented as genuine and eligible pension beneficiaries, misleading the respective schemes into releasing retirement and other related benefits.
The 41 charges include conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Section 317 of the Penal Code; obtaining money by false pretences, contrary to Section 313; and fraudulent false accounting under Section 330(b) of the Penal Code.
The accused persons also face charges relating to the acquisition, possession and use of proceeds of crime under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2009.
Following their plea, both Nalwenje and Kamande sought reasonable bail and bond terms to secure their release as the case proceeds.
The prosecution team, led by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Maryann Mwangi and Principal Prosecution Counsel Michael Mutune, did not oppose their release but urged the court to consider the seriousness of the allegations when setting bail conditions.
In its ruling, the court granted Nalwenje a bond of KSh3 million.
His wife, Kamande, was granted a bond of KSh1 million with one surety of a similar amount, or an alternative cash bail of KSh1 million.
The court further directed both accused persons to surrender their passports and report to the investigating officer once every month unless otherwise directed.
The matter will be mentioned on November 17, 2026, for pre-trial directions.
The two remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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