Eight fined Sh2,000 each for taking part in Monday demos
Western
By
Mary Imenza
| Mar 21, 2023
Masinde Muliro University (MMUST) students and locals who took to the streets on Monday have been slapped with a Sh2,000 each.
The eight, who appeared before Principal Magistrate Josephine Maragia, were charged with unlawfully demonstrating along the Kakamega-Webuye road. The eight asked the court to give them a lenient sentence or consider setting them free as they were poor.
"Your honour, they were only grievous with the harsh economic times and came out in their numbers to make their wishes known," defence lawyer Yvonne Khalai said.
She added: "As sons and daughters of peasants, they cannot afford the rising costs of food, fuel and other basics. Most of them were suffering as citizens of Kenya and more so as comrades because of the lack of Helb loans that help them to sustain themselves."
State lawyer Duncan Bonzo said the eight had no previous criminal record and did not object to the court's decision of treating them as such.
READ MORE
Kenyans Okolla and Wasike put rivals on notice ahead of bouts
Meru dairy farmers upbeat as processor gets ISO certification
Smartphone brands push upgrades to protect market share
When fundamentals are stable but the patient is terrified
State goes after Russian who secretly recorded Kenyan women
EACC goes after Kaberia, Mwendwa over Sh330m in CHAN stadium scam
EACC sues to recover Sh330 million in CHAN stadium contract
Supporters of Opposition, Ruto clash in Taita Taveta
President will win in 2027 using same old bag of political tricks
Gachagua lost, Lamu Woman Rep gained from 'tutam' booing incident
"They are remorseful and have pleaded for leniency, and in the circumstances, each is fined Sh2,000 and in default one month in jail," said Maragia.