Written By Joyce Nzomo
A man in Juja, Kiambu County has been sentenced to one year in prison or a fine of KSh15,000 after he failed to return a borrowed wheelbarrow worth KSh5,000.
Samuel Mwaniki was arraigned at a local court after being accused of stealing the wheelbarrow from Elias Njenga, an employee of businessman Paul Wairimu, in the Matangi area.
According to court proceedings, Mwaniki had borrowed the wheelbarrow on the agreement that he would return it the following day and pay a KSh100 leasing fee.
While the business customarily required borrowers to leave behind their national identification card, Mwaniki was allowed to take the wheelbarrow on the basis of trust, having promised to return it promptly.
However, he failed to do so and could not be reached on the phone number he had provided. The matter took a turn when Mwaniki was spotted on October 19 by a witness named Kioko, who had been present when the item was loaned out.
Kioko informed Wairimu, who, with help from members of the public, apprehended Mwaniki and handed him over to the police at Theta Station.
In court, Mwaniki pleaded guilty. A court-appointed lawyer pleaded for leniency, citing Mwaniki’s status as a first-time offender and his role as a sole breadwinner.
Despite the mitigation, the magistrate imposed a one-year jail term or an alternative fine of KSh15,000. The stolen wheelbarrow remains unrecovered. Mwaniki has 14 days to appeal.
