Court Discharges Businessman Joseph Lendrix Waswa in Sh400M Fake Gold Scam
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By Dennis Wanyonyi
A Milimani court has discharged city businessman Joseph Lendrix Waswa from the Sh400 million fake gold scam case.
In a ruling delivered on September 3, 2025, Milimani Chief Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo noted that the law empowers the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to terminate proceedings at any stage.
The court heard that the State, which was the main complainant in the case, had no intention of pursuing charges against Waswa. “Having considered the application by the prosecution and the materials before me, I therefore discharge the first accused person under Section 87A,” ruled Onsarigo.
Waswa had been charged alongside Nelson Eru, Roland Johnson, Joseph Gikonyo, Alice Kavata, Ian Wekesa, Duncan Muchai, and Police Constable Festo Akula Wamwayi.
The businessman’s discharge marks a major turn in the high-profile case that had captured national attention due to the involvement of prominent individuals and allegations of massive financial fraud.
The magistrate directed that the matter will be mentioned again on September 22, 2025, when the amended chargesheet is expected to be read to the remaining accused persons.
The case, which has been ongoing for years, is among several fake gold scams that have exposed loopholes in Kenya’s law enforcement and regulatory systems, often involving both local and foreign victims.
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