Judge Organizes Fundraiser in Court to Save 19-Year-Old Kenyan Woman from Going to Jail over Shoplifting
A Mombasa magistrate on Tuesday went out of his way to save a 19-year-old Kenyan woman from going to jail.
Shanzu Senior Resident Magistrate Patrick Odhiambo organized an impromptu fundraiser to help the woman, who had been charged with shoplifting.
The funds raised would help the accused person identified as Karyn Chelagat to pay for two hair weaves worth Sh1,140 she had stolen from a Mtwapa-based supermarket on July 21st.
Magistrate Odhiambo asked court attendees to voluntarily contribute at least Sh100 to go towards compensating the supermarket.
This came after Ms. Chelagat pleaded guilty to a shoplifting charge. The accused said she envied women who sported good-looking weaves, but she could not afford the synthetic hair due to financial problems.
“I wanted to look beautiful like other women. So, I went to the supermarket, looked around and saw the weaves that my friends often wear. Upon looking at the price tag, I was heartbroken that I couldn’t afford the two pieces. Left with no other choice, I stole the products,” Chelagat told the court.
“I was raised in poverty. When I came to town, I would see women sporting good hair and wearing quality make-up. I have tried to look as beautiful as my friends, but lack of money makes that impossible,” Chelagat added.
William Bosire, a lawyer, gave out Sh2,000 to rescue the woman from serving a 2-year jail term or paying a fine of Sh50,000.
Later, Magistrate Odhiambo asked the Investigating Officer to return the stolen weaves to the supermarket, and Bosire’s money is given to the accused “to buy a weave and food to eat.”
Comments
good job judge. Justice in…
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good job judge. Justice in Kenya is only dealt on the poor while Ruto and his cronies hide their loot. I hope she straightens up and her life gets better.
Thank you Magistrate…
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Thank you Magistrate Odhiambo for your random and senseless acts of kindness. But rescuing this lady as you did may send the wrong message to 2moro's thieves that if you covet something beyond your means, you can go ahead and steal it without pain of penalty and society will reward you. I wish you ordered her to do some manual community work, like cleaning up the court offices etc along with helping her. We don't want to give the impression that stealing is okay, that if you cannot afford it - it's okay to steal it without any repercussion.
Two years for hair weave? Oh…
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Two years for hair weave? Oh gosh this needs to change. Even three months would be too much. Odhiambo, you are a wonderful human being and more judges should emulate your style.
Having hair waves is not a…
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Having hair waves is not a necessity.Ithink the judge is sending the wrong message. Iwould applaud him if he had raised money for somebody who had not eaten food for 3 days,and had just to steal to survive.
The judge by raising funds for her, has not "improved" her beauty.This is a psychological matter.Just because you admire how someone looks in that hat,does not give you the right to commit acrime of stealing.
The judge should be instilling good morals,and ethics in to that girl instead of going soft,and circumventing the law.
Sometimes things happen for…
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In reply to Having hair waves is not a… by Maxiley (not verified)
Sometimes things happen for a reason. Ask yourself the same question you posed here, that is, "why not buy food for a person who has not eaten for 3 days"
What I am saying is, events of the minute, hour or day dictate what you and me will do faced with a given circumstance. The judge empathized with this girl given that, her upbringing dictated what she did - Steal hair weave so that she can look better. I am not condoning such an act but may be and I say maybe; this act by the judge may lead to an improvement on part of this girl.
On the same note but with a twist. What do you say about judges who set bails of 1 million on a tycoon who stole a billion shillings? Now compare that to this judge and respond.
@ manemomingi, we are…
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In reply to Sometimes things happen for… by ManenoMingi (not verified)
@ manemomingi, we are talking here after the fact. The lady is in court because she stole. And yes, Iwould buy a meal for afellow who as has not eaten for 3days,before he steals and goes to court.And what dictates what one will do depends largely on their morals,and ethics. Some would not steal even when starving,and some would not hesitate.But not many would steal hair waves,since they are not a basic need driven by your body in need to survive.
As for the bails of 1 million on atycoon, going by your example, I do not know the limit of bond for someone who steals billions Iam sure your example is hypothetical,since you did not give an exact number of billions stolen,and so is your bond.
The judge has set aprecedent,and Iam sure lawyers with clients in similar predicament will want the same favorable results.Iam more concerned about how the law if applied here.
For crying out LOUD!! Asiye…
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For crying out LOUD!! Asiye funzwa na mamaye... Good grief! This thief will steal again then what? Wacha niende Wal-Mart niokote smart t.v. then I say such a story.. Mbio! Jela smh it's a darn shame. Endorsing the practice of thieving juu mtu anatamaa 😒
Africans are moving away…
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Africans are moving away from fake hair to natural hair. Why would you as the judge fundraise for fake hair. Fake hair is becoming a sense of shame and not a sense of pride.
What the judge should have done, is to order a hair cut.
That would have ceased the need to steal now and in future.
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