Vincent Adet, the Senior Principal Magistrate of Kenya’s Mombasa regulation courts, has exonerated a couple sentenced for taking a parcel of wheat flour.
On April 13 in Mvita’s Shimanzi area, Saumu Ali and Evans Odhiambo were convicted for taking flour worth Ksh. 1,980 from Grain Industries Ltd.
In April, the couple confessed to the charges, saying they took the wheat flour to take care of their youngsters after they had gone without nourishment for a few days.
The lady expressed she was staying out of other people’s affairs when her better half (husband) moved toward her and requested that she help him in moving a bundle of wheat from a close-by vehicle.
She pled for mercy, saying she just stole to feed her children and swore she would never steal again.
On the other hand, Odhiambo claimed to be a scrap metal dealer who had lost his job due to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s scrap metal ban. He also acknowledged to taking food to feed their kids.
In his ruling on Wednesday, May 11, Principal Magistrate Vincent Adet pardoned the accused, noting that he had considered the probation report presented before his court by the probation officer.
“On humanitarian grounds, especially for the first accused person, I have considered the circumstances under which the offence was committed and I sympathize with her situation, with three kids under her care and no source of income and am of the view that let buy her a bale of wheat flour and some meat for today,” K24 TV quoted Adet as saying.
The judge also encouraged members of the public, media, and court officials in attendance to donate any amount to Saumu’s food fund, and kicked off the effort by donating Ksh.1000.
Culled from Yabaleft
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