Rude sms costs woman Sh30,000

By Evelyn Kwamboka

A woman will part with Sh30,000 for sending a text that cost her less than Sh5 or go to jail for three months.

The senior officer at the Nairobi City Council’s Education Department insulted a man by degrading his private parts.

Esther Mwende Chele, 46, in court Wednesday. She pleaded guilty to sending an offensive text message. [PHOTO: EVANS HABIL/STANDARD]

Esther Mwende Chele, 46, shed tears as Senior Principal Magistrate Stellah Muketi passed the verdict.

She was charged that between February 18 and August, by means of Safaricom telecommunication system, she sent an offensive message to Mr Stephen Ngumbau Kithuka, belittling his private parts.

She pleaded guilty and the court ordered her to pay a fine of Sh30,000 or be sentenced to jail for three months.

In mitigation, the woman, who claimed she was a widow, told the court the man tried luring her to bed but she declined and instead offered him spiritual nourishment.

Declined advances

Ms Mwende said the man owed her more than Sh20,000 and was out to frustrate her because she declined his advances.

However, the facts of the case as presented in court were that the woman’s daughter wanted to rent the man’s servants quarter three years ago and they met for tea over it.

Mwende is said to have made advances at the man but he declined. She resorted to harassing him with telephone calls and finally the SMS.