Justice,

A 24-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to trafficking five rolls of bhang valued at Sh150 was on Thursday fined Sh20, 000 by a Kenol Court.

Rosemary Ngaruiya, who appeared before Murang’a Resident Magistrate Jackinda Rennah was charged with having been found with the five rolls of bhang not in medical prescription on April 8, 2024 at her rented house in Wempa, Murang’a south.

Prosecutor Millicent Oduor told the court police from Wempa police post acting on a tip off from members of the public went to her house and conducted a search. The prosecutor said the five rolls of bhang that were presented in court as evidence were found in Ngaruiya’s back pocket wrapped in black polythene bag.

The accused pleaded guilty to the charges and gave no statement in mitigation hence was convicted on her own plea of guilty. Resident magistrate Jackinda ordered the accused to pay a fine of Sh20,000 or in default she will serve four months in prison.

And in the same court, a 37-year-old man who pleaded guilty to cutting down two Eucalyptus trees from a private investor’s plantation to sell and earn money will await sentencing on April 24. The accused Boniface Kioko committed the offence on April 10, 2024 at 3pm in Gituamba forest, Murang’a south where he cut two eucalyptus trees belonging to Kakuzi PLC firm.

According to the facts presented in Court prosecutor, Millicent Odour, the company’s guards and officers from Kakuzi while on patrol found the accused and two others cutting down the trees.

 His accomplices managed to escape but the accused was apprehended and taken to Kakuzi police post. The accused in mitigation said he wanted to sell the firewood to put food on the table for his children. He prayed the court for clemency.