Alex Nalwenje and Esther Kamande face 41 charges involving alleged pension fraud.
Alex Nalwenje and Esther Kamande denied all charges at Kibera Law Courts as prosecutors alleged fraudulent payments from several pension schemes.
A couple has denied 41 charges in a multi-million-shilling pension fraud case involving schemes linked to major companies and public institutions.
Alex Nalwenje and his wife, Esther Kamande, appeared before Kibera Chief Magistrate Stella Atambo. The Director of Public Prosecutions alleges that they worked with others to secure irregular pension payments.
Both accused sought reasonable bail and bond terms after entering their pleas. The allegations remain unproven.
Pension fraud case centres on payroll entries
Prosecutors allege that the couple worked with other individuals who are not before the court. Together, they allegedly inserted names fraudulently into pension scheme payrolls to enable payments of retirement and related benefits.
The prosecution says they falsely presented those individuals as eligible pension beneficiaries. As a result, the respective schemes allegedly released funds to them.
The schemes include those associated with Ernst & Young, Swissport, Nestlé, Cadbury and Nokia. Prosecutors also named schemes linked to the Kenya Bureau of Standards and the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service.
The charges include conspiracy to defraud under Section 317 of the Penal Code and obtaining money by false pretences under Section 313. They also include fraudulent false accounting under Section 330(b).
In addition, the couple faces charges involving the acquisition, possession and use of proceeds of crime. These fall under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, No. 9 of 2009.
Court sets bond and reporting conditions
Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Maryann Mwangi and Principal Prosecution Counsel Michael Mutune led the prosecution team. They did not oppose the couple’s bail applications.
However, prosecutors urged the court to weigh the seriousness of the charges when setting release terms.
Atambo granted Nalwenje a Ksh3 million bond. Meanwhile, Kamande received a Ksh1 million bond with one surety of the same amount, or Ksh1 million cash bail.
The court also ordered both accused to surrender their passports and report monthly to the investigating officer, unless it directs otherwise.
The case will return to court on November 17, 2026, for a mention and pre-trial directions.
