NAIROBI,Kenya, Apr, 13 – Alvin Linus Chivondo was arraigned before chief magistrate Wendy Micheni and accused of stealing 5 liters of Fresh Fri cooking oil at a Naivas Supermarket alongside other food items all valued at Sh3,165.
Chivondo pleaded guilty to the charges and was slapped with a one jail sentence or an alternative fine of Sh100,000.
While admitting to the charges, the suspect sought leniency from the court saying that the tough economic climate in the country had pushed him to the extreme especially since he and his family had gone hungry for three days.
Chivondo, 22 years old, worked as a casual labourer.
“I have a four-month-old baby and I couldn’t feed my family, your honour you can see I only stole food items,I can’t feed my family since I lost my job,” said Alvin.
He was arraigned at Milimani Law courts in Nairobi and pleaded guilty to two counts of stealing and handling stolen goods contrary to the law.
Before issuing her sentence, Micheni said that the Supermarket had fallen victim to shoplifters and noted that as of April 12, 2022, she had forgiven other four other suspects facing similar charges.
“You are charged that on April 10th, 2022 at Naivas Development House Moi Avenue in Nairobi, within Nairobi County stole 5kgms Daawat Long Grain Rice, 500gms American Gourmet Honey, 500gms For Yo Kenya tea leaves, 5 liters Fresh Fri Cooking oil,2Kgms Kabras Packed sugar all worth Kshs. 3,165/= the property of Naivas Kenya Limited” read part of the charge sheet in part.
He is further said to have put the stolen goods in a non-woven carrier bag before attempting to escape. He was spotted on the supermarket’s CCTV and shortly after arrested.
It was also reported that the accused had committed a similar act at the supermarket and was forgiven by the Central police station base commander.
Though incidents of crime, the ruling angered a section of Kenyans calling for his immediate release. They cited the economic turmoil in the country as the reason the accused was pushed to the brink of despair.
ODM leader Raila Odinga also called for Chivondo’s unconditional release.
The former premier said that the courts should get their priorities right.
Hours after the ruling, it is said that former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko paid the accused’s Sh100,000 fine.
Sonko also promised to help the young man secure a job.
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