The Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga has come to the defence of the jobless young man; Alvin Linus Chivondo who was sentenced to one year in prison or pay an alternative Sh100,000 fine.

Raila took to his social media accounts to ask for Chivondo’s unconditional release.

“Let Alvin Linus Chivondo be released unconditionally!” Raila said.


The former premier questioned why other criminals are left to walk and campaign freely while petty offenders like Chivongo are being sent to prison.

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“Criminals are now getting a reprieve to campaign freely, while petty offenders are being jailed,” the former Prime Minister said.

Raila further questioned the court’s rationale in sending the young man to prison for trying to fend for his family.

“Let the courts get their priorities right, for once, you can't jail a man for trying to feed his family,” Raila protested.

Chivondo pleaded guilty to shoplifting five litres of Fresh Fri cooking oil, a packet of rice, a packet of sugar among other food items with a total value of Sh3,165.

He pleaded for the court’s clemency, citing hunger and lack of a source of income as reasons he committed the offence since he lost his job and therefore could not fend for his family.

“I have a four-month-old baby and I could not feed my family. Your Honour, you can see I only stole food items. I can not feed my family since I lost my job,” pleaded Chivondo.

However, Milimani Chief Magistrate Wendy Kagendo Micheni declined his request, saying Chivondo was dishonest and a perpetual thief.

While sentencing him, Kagendo said her ruling was meant to send a message to people of Chivondo's character to refrain from theft.