Former KEMRI Managing Director Prof. Davy Koech Convicted of Fraud, Fined Sh19.6 Million

Former Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) managing director Prof. Davy Kiprotich Koech has been found guilty of fraud.

The 70-year-old was accused of transferring Sh19.3 million from KEMRI’s bank accounts to his accounts to fund his children’s education abroad. The funds had been allocated to the Center for Disease Control in Kisumu.

On Wednesday, Senior Principal Magistrate Victor Wakumile convicted the accused of fraudulent acquisition of public property and was fined Sh19.6 million, or serve a six-year jail term in default.

Magistrate Wakumile while issuing the ruling said the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Koech committed the offense.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said he was dissatisfied with the sentence and will be seeking enhancement of the same at the High Court.

Koech, who currently serves as the CEO of the Centre for Clinical & Molecular Sciences, took to Twitter to question the sentencing.

“The figure of 19.3 million that I am accused of stealing from KEMRI in 2006 was an administrative oversight that was corrected when it was returned years ago & with interest. Why the punishment? ASANTE YA PUNDA NI TEKE!” he wrote.