State Wins Big: Three Kenya Airways Employees Jailed for Heroin Smuggling Worth KSh.60 million

The State scored a major victory in the fight against drug trafficking. Three Kenya Airways employees were sentenced to long jail terms for smuggling heroin worth over KSh.60 million. The ruling came on Friday at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Court. The case had dragged on for eight years, exposing weaknesses in the aviation sector.

Cabin crew Lennox Chengek Chestit and Alfric Odhiambo Otieno, along with ground staff Kenneth Sinzore Isundu, were each sentenced to 25 years in prison. They were also fined between KSh.88 million and KSh.90 million.

Failure to pay adds an extra one-year sentence, running concurrently. The three were convicted on two counts of trafficking. Chestit and Isundu smuggled 9,845.7 grams of heroin worth KSh.29.5 million. Otieno and Isundu were linked to 20 kilograms valued at KSh.60 million. The court ordered Isundu’s sentences to run concurrently.

The convicts asked for non-custodial sentences. The court rejected their plea. Magistrate Njeri Thuku said drug trafficking does not qualify for community service. She also reprimanded them for damaging Kenya Airways and Kenya Airports Authority’s reputation.

Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga praised the verdict. He said it sends a strong message. Criminals exploiting state institutions will face justice. He also commended the prosecution team for handling the complex case over eight years.

Chestit was 26 at arrest, Otieno 27 and Isundu 45. The trial is now seen as a landmark step. Kenya’s airports are better protected against drug trafficking.