BY IRENE ONYANGO.
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has rescued a 21-year-old man who was jailed today morning for stealing five litres of cooking oil at Naivas Supermarket.
Sonko paid Sh100,000 fine immediately he learnt that Alvin Linus Chivondo had been jailed and was on his way to Industrial area prison.
“Majority of Kenyans are languishing in poverty even to afford a daily meal for their families is a problem it is because of this reason that I decided to pay the fine for Mr. Alvin. I have also promised to give him a one month food stock plus offer him a job as well”, said Sonko.
Early today, Chivondo was jailed to serve 1 year imprisonment after stealing foodstuff at Naivas Supermarket.
Court ordered Chivondo to serve one year in jail or pay a fine of Sh 100,000 after pleading guilty for shoplifting.
The man admitted that he stole 5 litres of Fresh Fry cooking oil, 5kgs Daawat Long Grain Rice, 500gms American Gourmet honey, 500gms of tea leaves, 2 kgs of sugar, from the supermarket’s branch at Development House.
“The accused is not being honest. Though he has not been convicted previously, there’s evidence that he has been arrested before and forgiven by the complainant or the police, Naivas supermarket. The complainant especially Development house branch has been a constant victim of shoplifters. Up to yesterday I had forgiven four other suspects who were accused of shoplifting at supermarket. That may be sending a message that it is fine for one to reap where one has not sown,” Chief magistrate Wendy Kagendo said.
The court was told that he stole the foodstuff on April 10, 2022 at Naivas Development House Moi Avenue in Nairobi. The foodstuffs are worth Sh3,165.
In his mitigation, the father of one told the magistrate that his family had gone hungry for three days. He further claimed to have lost his job two months ago as he pleaded with the magistrate to forgive him.
ODM leader Raila Odinga voiced his concerns saying the man should have been forgiven.
“Let Alvin Linus Chivondo be released unconditionally!. Criminals are now getting a reprieve to campaign freely, while petty offenders are being jailed. Let the courts get their priorities right, for once, you can’t jail a man for trying to feed his family”, Raila added.
