More trouble for ex-Oki director Khatwani accused of defrauding Sh356million as witnesses cite deaths threats, intimidation
He further testified that his life was put at risk after Khatwani allegedly issued death threats
Woes against beleaguered Nairobi-based Indian businessman Honey Khatwani who has since been charged with stealing Sh356million from Oki Trading Kenya Limited where he previously served as a director intensified today after two former colleagues took to the witness stand and accused him of having coerced them through intimidation and death threats.
Appearing today before Chief Magistrate Dolphina Alego at the Milimani Law Courts when the matter came up for mention, Oki employee Jatin Aswani told the court that while working under Khatwani, he uncovered irregularities in company sales, which directly pointed to financial mismanagement.
He further testified that his life was put at risk after Khatwani allegedly issued death threats.
Aswani added that Khatwani had taken away his passport and ignored his pleas, forcing him to seek help from the police, though no action was taken.
Supporting this account, former Oki Sales Executive and Accountant Karan Badlani told the court that between 2020 and 2024, Khatwani subjected staff to constant intimidation, including confiscation of their passports and coercion to seek work permits.
He said the threats eventually compelled him to leave the company.
The witnesses also alleged that the money Khatwani siphoned from Oki was squandered on gambling activities, crippling the firm’s operations.
They further claimed that after exiting Oki, Khatwani opened another company, Galaxy Middle East Limited, where he transferred funds, and later set up a pseudo firm that is allegedly being used to channel more money.
The prosecution argued that the testimonies paint a consistent picture of a director who abused his position to defraud the company and intimidate employees into silence.
Magistrate Alego directed that the hearing continues tomorrow, September 25, 2025 with more witnesses expected to testify in support of the prosecution’s case.
Khatwani is an Indian national who lives in Kenya with his family and worked as a director at Oki General Trading Limited in Baba Dogo within Ruaraka constituency.
The charge sheet shows that on diverse dates between January 2020 and June 2024, being a director at Oki General Trading Limited, he stole Sh356,711,174.4, the property of the firm, which came into his possession by virtue of his employment.
Khatwani had pleaded not guilty to the theft and was released on bond with tough conditions, including depositing his passport in court.
