The head of the Kenyan delegation to the Rio Olympics in 2016 Stephen Arap Soi, who is serving 17 years in jail for abuse of office, has pleaded to be freed on bail, pending the determination of his appeal.
Appearing before High Court judge Esther Maina on Monday, Mr Soi said he suffers from chronic diseases and requires constant medical attention and checkup from his personal doctor.
Mr Soi was found guilty together with former Sports CS Hassan Wario and sentenced to 17 years in jail after he failed to pay a fine of Sh105.6 million.
Dr Wario had been sentenced to six years with an option of paying a fine of Sh3.6 million, which he paid and got back his freedom.
In the appeal to be heard next month, Mr Soi says he is an elderly man at 65 years and his health might deteriorate while in prison, yet his appeal has high chances of success.
“The applicant is apprehensive that his health will be greatly affected if this application is not heard urgently as he will not be able to get the required medical care and attention while in custody. He is required to adhere to a strict diet and to take medication and have checkups on strict occasions,” his lawyer Kimutai Bosek said.
Mr Soi said he was convicted of six counts, crimes he allegedly committed in Nairobi but he says he was in Rio, Brazil at the time.
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