Rwandese fined Sh150,000 for running illegal business in Kenya

Nine Rwandese before a Meru court where they pleaded guilty to being in Kenya illegally and running an unlicensed bakery. [photo: Peter Muthomi/Standard]

Nine Rwandese were on Thursday fined a total of Sh150,000 for being in the country and conducting an unlicensed bakery business.

The nine pleaded guilty to the offence of conducting the bakery business in Meru town on March when they appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Evans Mbicha.

Through a Kinyarwanda interpreter, the eight men and one woman pleaded for leniency but the magistrate slapped a Sh10,000 fine on each of the accused or serve two months imprisonment in default for the offence of conducting an unlicensed business.

Ms Mukamyikora Solangi was charged alongiside Sinabubarangi Amiaabi, Bingira Frank, Mukgabonejo Erick, Ntuvuriguruzwa Vital, Nzamurambaho Daniel, Bimenyimana Alex, Uwivinymana Xavier and Ngianshuti Felix.

Ms Solangi, Bingira, Bemenyimana and Ngiashuti also pleaded guilty to an offence of being in the country illegally and were slapped with a further fine of Sh15,000 each or they serve two months imprisonment in default.

"Upon paying the fine or serving the jail sentence, the four should be deported to their home country," ordered the magistrate.

The nine have been in custody since last week as a Rwandese interpreter was being sought by the court.