Blow to Soi as High Court declines his bail appeal

Former National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) deputy treasurer Stephen Soi’s bid to taste freedom has suffered a blow after the High Court declined his application to be released on bail pending the appeal over the 2016 Rio Olympics scandal.

Soi was in September last year convicted to a 17-year jail term after failing to raise the Ksh 115 million fine imposed on him after he was found guilty of misappropriation of funds and abuse of office in Rio Olympics scandal.

He was sentenced and convicted alongside four other officials, including former Secretary General Francis Paul but were all acquitted of the charges levelled against them.

Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario was also found guilty and sentenced to a six-year jail term or pay a Sh3.6 million fine over his involvement in the scandal but quickly raised the fine and was set free.

Soi subsequently lodged an appeal challenging the decision and sought to be released on bail pending the hearing. Apart from praying for bail, the 65-year old said he requires constant medical checkups and being held in custody would bar him from accessing medical attention.

However, Justice Esther Maina ruled that the prison facility where Soi is being held is capable of dealing with his medical concerns and thus declined to his prayer.