Woman in court for smoking in aircraft

Kisumu, Kenya: A woman has been arraigned before a high court in Kisumu for interfering with the safety of an aircraft and the people on board.

Millicent Adongo is alleged to have been found smoking an electronic cigarette while on board of a Jambo Jet aircraft at The Kisumu International airport on November 15.

In her defence she told the court to be lenient to her since she was not aware that it was an offence to smoke an electronic cigarette while on board.

She told the court that, smoking the regular tobacco cigarette while on board was the only offence known to her.

"I ask this court to be lenient with my case as the only cigarette I know is not to be allowed in an aircraft is the regular tobacco cigarette but not the electronic one," said Adongo.

Kisumu Chief Magistrate Lucy Gitari however entered a plea of not guilty. The airline does not allow passengers to smoke cigarettes of any kind while on board to avoid the risk of interfering with gadgets and the welfare of other passengers on board.

She also faced a second count of failing to observe instructions lay down despite being aware of them, a charge she also denied.

Gitari released her on bond of Sh50, 000 with a surety of the same amount or an alternative of a Sh20, 000 cash bail.

The case will be heard on January 18.