Two men get one year non-custodial sentence for trafficking bhang

Two men who were separately charged with trafficking bhang before a Murang'a court were each convicted to serve one year non-custodial sentence. James Muritu, 45, was charged that on August 24, at Kabuta Village of Murang'a East Sub County, he was found with 180 grams and 28 sachets of bhang with a street value of Sh. 10,400. Pleading guilty before resident magistrate Dorence Soy, Muritu prayed for leniency promising to stop trafficking bhang. 'I seek forgiveness from this court. I will stop trafficking and smoking bhang. I promise to start a small farming business to keep myself occupied. I have learned my lesson,' he told the court. The prosecution recommended the accused to be treated as a first time offender with the magistrate ruling that Muritu be engaged to community service at Matithi Chief's camp for one year. 'This one-year non-custodial sentence will provide an opportunity for rehabilitation while holding him accountable for his actions,' added the Magistrate. In the same court, 34- years- ol d Timothy Kariuki admitted charges of being in possession of 18 rolls of bhang. Kariuki was charged with committing the offense on September 24 at Kayole informal settlement within Murang'a town. He pleaded for leniency saying he is a father of one and sole provider of his family. The court ordered him to be engaged in community work at the Kimathi location chief's office for a period of one year. Source: Kenya News Agency