A casual labourer has been fined Sh2,000, with an option of serving a month's jail term, for stealing sugarcane worth Sh20.
Kakamega resident Magistrate Sylvia Wayodi handed the sentence to first-time offender Andrew Konyobo, 23, after he pleaded guilty and promised never to repeat the mistake.
"I have considered your mitigation and now sentence you to pay a fine of Sh2, 000 or serve one month's imprisonment," she said.
Konyobo had asked the court to free him since it was his first brush with the law, promising he would not repeat the offence.
"I stole due to hunger. When I was caught, I tried pleading for forgiveness but my accusers could have none of it. They decided it should end in court," he said.
Not eaten anything
He added: "I am a casual labourer and had not eaten anything on the day of the crime. I was prompted to walk into the complainant's farm and have a piece of cane to soothe my hunger."
The facts of the charge were that on June 3 at Emukhaya village, Ingotse sub-location, he entered the sugar farm of Godfrey Munala and stole one cane valued at Sh20.
State lawyer Moraa Atandi told the court that Konyobo entered the cane farm at around 7.30 pm from where he was arrested, then frog-marched to the nearest police station.
"I plead that you treat him as a first-time offender who ought to be granted a favourable sentence. I bet the harsh economic times could be the reason for his action," she said.