A court in Mombasa County on Wednesday, May 11 reportedly pardoned a couple who were charged for stealing a bale of wheat flour.
Saumu Ali and her husband Evans Odhiambo were accused of stealing Ksh.1,980 worth of flour from Grain Industries Ltd on April 13 at Shimanzi area in Mvita, contrary to section 268 (1) as read with section 275 of the penal code.
The duo had pleaded guilty to the charges during a hearing in April, where they informed the court that they stole the wheat flour to fend for their children, who had gone without food for several days.
Moreover, Odhiambo told the court that he was a scrap metal dealer and had been jobless after President Uhuru Kenyatta placed a ban on scrap metal business. He confessed that he had resorted to steal the flour to feed his children.
Principal Magistrate Vincent Adet in his ruling pardoned the accused, stating 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 us buy her a bale of wheat flour and some meat for today.” Adet said.
The magistrate then asked members of the public, journalists, and court officials present to contribute any amount towards Saumu’s food kitty, and kickstarted the drive by handing over Ksh.1000.
