Controversial businesswoman Joyce Akinyi sentenced to 25 years in jail for drug trafficking

A Nairobi court has sentenced controversial businesswoman Joyce Akinyi to 25 years imprisonment after she was convicted in a high-profile drug trafficking case on January 9, 2025.

The sentencing, delivered by the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) court, came after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) secured a conviction against Akinyi and two co-accused persons: Paulin Kalala, a Congolese national, and Peres Ochieng, who is currently on the run.

In the first count, Akinyi and Kalala were found guilty of trafficking narcotics. Akinyi received a 25-year prison sentence and a fine of Ksh.9,018,000, while Kalala was handed a 10-year sentence with the same fine.

Peres Ochieng, who remains at large with a warrant issued for her arrest, was sentenced in absentia to 25 years in prison and fined Ksh.7,927,740. She will begin serving her sentence upon capture.

Additionally, Akinyi faced a second count for possession of a passport without valid justification, earning her an additional two years in prison.

The court however ruled that the two sentences would run concurrently.