A case in which a father of seven has been charged with stealing a measly Sh105 has elicited sympathetic reactions from Kenyan internet users.
The middle-aged man, identified as Paul James Mwangangi, pleaded guilty to stealing the money from Kenyatta National Hospital on Wednesday, January 3, 2018.
The suspect further requested the court to accord him a lenient sentence because he is a father of seven children who depend on him.
According to the prosecution team, the man stole a purse belonging to a nurse, Oyunge Cement Harriet, containing Sh105 and the total value of other valuables coming to Sh1,105.
Mwangangi faced another count of handling stolen goods contrary to the law on similar dates and place. He was accused of dishonestly retaining a purse while having reason to believe it was stolen goods.
The court heard that the nurse was on duty at the hospital when she left her handbag in the doctors’ room 3 only to find the bag missing.
When he saw the doctor, Mwangangi is said to have left the room after which the nurse realized that her handbag was missing. Security guards responded leading to the arrest of Mwangangi.
Magistrate Martha Mutuku referred the matter to a probation officer who is to consider whether to grant Mwangangi an out of court sentence.
The matter will be mentioned on 12th January.
The case has caught the attention of Twitter users who used the platform to share their sentiments. Majority noted the irony in prosecuting the accused while alleged big-money looters like former Devolution CS Waiguru continue to prosper.
We have sampled some Tweets below.
The court should release The Father of 7 and detain the nurse for having only Ksh 105 in her purse
— ★Moremy Dantey★ (@MoremyDantey) January 8, 2018
You steal millions, you can pay your way out. The father of 7 only stole 105 that’s why he couldn’t buy his way out.
That’s Kenyan— Martin Cornel (@O_Cornel) January 8, 2018
Father of 7 still 105 and go to jail but 1billion and amend the law….???????
— bronics alvin (@BronicsN) January 8, 2018
Father of 7 charged with stealing Ksh105 when looters of 791M+,5B et al are walking freely with govt security.
May GOD deliver us— Kijana Stevie Nderi (@HEStevieNderi) January 8, 2018
Father of 7 charged for stealing ksh 105, sheria tulizonazo zinamkandamiza maskini saaana, let’s do away with them. Some people stole billions and they are f**ng free
— Ngosha Don (@NgoshaDj) January 8, 2018
“Father of 7” charging this man will cost so much. Just give him that money instead. He needs it!
— That Kenyan Dude (@ThatKenyanDude) January 8, 2018
“Father of 7” there is always no justice for the poor
— shadrack okoth okore (@OkoreOkoth) January 8, 2018
This Father of 7 story reminds me of my lecturer at Egerton, Dr. Apollos who once told us that if you must steal, steal something heavy. Yes, something heavier than Rick Ross not 105!
— John Nyiggih (@JNyiggih) January 8, 2018
Hata Fuel ya Landrover inapeleka Father of 7 court imeshinda pesa ameiba…Courts should apply economics..
— AKUNGU (@eng_akungu) January 8, 2018
From the story of father of 7 getting prosecuted for stealing sh 105,its safer and wiser to steal billions in Kenya and still catwalk around
— Eric Mose (@ItsMose) January 8, 2018
A father of 7, steals Ksh 105, he is taken to court to be prosecuted. Anne Waiguru, Ksh 20 billion disappeared under her watch, she is now a Governor. Kenya is a sad affair.
— juma (@jumaf3) January 8, 2018
Father of 7 charged in a court of law for stealing 105 shillings while the corrupt like Anne Waiguru, Mutahi Ngunyi and Murkomen are free after stealing Billions in the NYS corruption scandal.
— Ronald Kamanza?? (@RonaldKamanza) January 8, 2018
Boy child is under siege,Father of 7 charged for taking ksh105 without permission ni DHULMA!Girl child Waiguru robbed us bt still she’s free
— @Sen. Busolo_Aggrey (@BusoloAggrey) January 8, 2018
A Father of 7 charged for stealing Ksh 105, When will Kenya be Fair?
Waiguru Stole Billions and she is still catwalking out here like Kenya belongs to Kirinyaga!— #KenyaDieHard?? (@ConradOmwenga) January 8, 2018
Are thr categories of theft??? Isn’t stealing 1Billion the same as Stealing a Rwabe??Fact– Father of 7 Stole,However, What he stole was not enough to play some gymnastics with the Law!! Bitch>>> The law is a BITCH, That’s what they say! MBICH..
— Mwendwa Mbithi (@MwendwaMbithiKE) January 8, 2018
Si mtoe paybill tuchangie huyu Father of 7?
— Ng’etich Dennis (@Kipkorir_Denno) January 8, 2018
Ksh105??? Father of 7 charged of stealing Kes 105! Hii Kenya aki ya nani!
— Wilson Mwangi (@WillieGooner) January 8, 2018
Father of 7 charged for stealing ksh 105. This could as well mean that if you intend to commit a crime, do a massive one until your people applaud you as a hero.
— IG: NaffKenya (@NaffKenya) January 8, 2018
Let’s start a Paybill for the Father of 7 who stole Kes. 105.
Boychild President anasemaje?
— Lagaless, HSC. ?? (@lagaless) January 8, 2018
So the society decided to charge a father of 7 for stealing Ksh 105/-, yet there are people who have stolen billions of money.
— Char-lee Oddie (@Oddcharley) January 8, 2018
