Magistrate pardons couple that stole Unga worth KSh1, 980, orders mini-Harambee
By: Rading Biko
Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2022
A court in Mombasa County has pardoned a woman who was charged alongside her husband for stealing a bale of wheat flour in the Shimanzi area, Mvita.
Saumu Ali and her husband Evans Odhiambo stole one bale of wheat flour valued at KSh1,980 from Grain Industries Ltd.
Ali told the court they stole the wheat flour to feed their children who had gone for days without eating.
“I was doing my menial job when my husband called me to help him carry the load. We did this for the sake of our children," Ali said.
After the hearing, Principal Magistrate, Vincent Adet, sympathized with the family of Odhiambo and pardoned them on the grounds they would not repeat the mistake.
Adet then ordered a mini Harambee to fundraise for the two couples.
"With three kids under her care, and no source of income, I am of the view that let us buy her a bale of wheat flour and some meat for today," he stated. It is at that point the magistrate started a funds drive in the court session and led by example by giving the couple KSh.1000,” he said.
According to the law, Ali and Odhiambo were charged with stealing contrary to section 268 (1) as read with section 275 of the penal code.
Odhiambo, on the other hand, pleaded guilty and in his defence said his job as a scrap metal came to an end following the ban on scrap metal, passed by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“On humanitarian grounds, especially for the first accused person, I have considered the circumstances under which the offense was committed and I sympathize with her situation, with three kids under her care and no source of income. I am of the view that let’s buy her a bale of wheat flour and some meat for today,” the magistrate said.
Written by Cynthia Kenyani
