By F, KNA
A 21-year-old man has been sentenced to six months in jail, or pay a fine of Sh50,000 after pleading guilty to trafficking illicit alcohol in Ithanga, Murang’a County.
Appearing before Resident Magistrate Jackinda Renna at the Kenol Law Courts, Paul Kariuki Chege admitted to being in possession of 40 litres of chang’aa on June 9 at around 7 p.m. in Ithiru village, Ithanga, Kakuzi sub-county.
The brew was packaged in two yellow 20-litre containers.
Prosecutor Brian Ng’ang’a told the court that police officers, acting on a tip-off, arrested the accused while transporting the illicit brew.
The exhibits were presented in court as evidence.
The accused pleaded guilty to the charge of trafficking chang’aa and was convicted on his own plea of guilt.
In mitigation, Chege begged the court for leniency, saying he was a first-time offender.
“I ask the court to forgive me. It was a mistake, and I will not repeat it,” he said.
The Magistrate sentenced him to serve six months in jail, or pay a fine of Sh50,000.
The time he has already spent custody since June 9 will be considered, with the right to appeal within 14 days.
Further, Renna ordered that the 40 litres of chang’aa be destroyed.
