Mombasa Principal Magistrate Vincent Adet showed clemency to a woman accused of stealing a bale of wheat flour and ordered a mini fundraiser for her towards her food kitty.

The court pardoned the middle-aged woman and set her free after admitting to stealing the bale of wheat flour worth Sh1,980 that belonged to Grain Industries Limited.

Saumu was accused alongside her husband Evans Odhiambo, of committing the crime on April 13, 2022, in Shimanzi, Mombasa County.

To kick off the proposed fundraiser towards Saumu’s food kitty, Justice Adet contributed Sh1000, which he handed over to the bailiff.

He also asked members of the public, the court officials and journalists who were in court to chip in with whatever amount they could spare for the humanitarian cause.

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In his ruling, Adet said he considered the circumstances under which the offence was committed and sympathised with the situation, especially for the first accused person.

“On humanitarian grounds, especially for the first accused person, I have considered the circumstances under which the offence was committed and I sympathise with her situation, with three kids under her care and no source of income and am of the view that let buy her a bale of wheat flour and some meat for today,” Adet said.

The magistrate said he reached the decision after considering the probation report that the probation officer presented before the court.

Adet further noted that Saumu confessed to the arresting officer that she only stole the goods to feed her 3 children.

Saumu also disclosed to the officer that whilst she was performing her usual casual duties, her husband called upon her to assist him with offloading the bale of wheat flour from a vehicle that was parked nearby.