Awori Family Raises Sh800 Million in One Month to Secure Jailed Grace Wakhungu’s Freedom

A month after she was sent to jail, the family of Grace Wakhungu has reportedly raised Sh800 million to secure her freedom.

People Daily on Monday reported that the powerful Awori family fund-raised and exceeded the Sh707 million fine handed to Ms. Wakhungu by a Nairobi court on June 25th.

A source close to the family whose members include former vice-president Moody Awori said they did not take Wakhungu’s sentencing lightly and are keen to have her released as soon as possible. The source added that some family members both in Kenya and Uganda sold their assets to raise the money.

“The sentencing of granny is not something that was taken lightly by Wakhungu’s siblings, both here in Kenya and Uganda.”

“In fact, we outdid ourselves by raising close to Sh800 million, being contributions from family members through the sale of assets locally and abroad, personal savings and ‘silent’ fund drives by friends,” the source said.

Wakhungu, who is the mother of former CS and current Kenyan ambassador to France Judi Wakhungu, was handed a 69-year jail sentence or Sh707 fine after she was found guilty of defrauding the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) Sh300 million in 2009.

She had been charged alongside Sirisia MP John Waluke, who was handed a similar jail sentence or Sh727 million fine.

It emerged that Wakhungu’s immediate family members raised Sh197 million while her nephew single-handedly contributed Sh100 million.

An additional Sh236 million was raised through a funds-drive organized by family members both locally and abroad.

Moody Awori donated Sh135 million, Wakhungu’s sister Dr. Mary Okello contributed Sh28 million, while former Kenyan ambassador to Japan Dennis Awori and his family paid Sh15 million. The family of former Ugandan MP Aggrey Awori contributed Sh41 million while the families of Wakhungu’s deceased brothers Hannington Awori and Prof. Nelson Awori gave Sh93 million.

Others who made contributions include Christine Hayanga, Henry Awori, Willis Awori, and Ernest Awori who are reported to have raised a total of Sh54 million.

The source said the family would have raised the amount in a matter of hours if the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) were not monitoring them.

“We are somehow stuck because we have the amount ready but the DPP, EACC, and KRA are sending threats our way,” a family member revealed.

Wakhungu, 79, is currently being held at Lang’ata Women Prison while Waluke is at Kamiti Maximum Prison. Their appeal is set for Friday, August 7th, 2020.