Kenyans on Twitter were an angry lot on Monday after a court charged a man who is a father of seven children for allegedly stealing Sh105.
Paul James Mwangangi pleaded guilty before Magistrate Martha Mutuku and requested the court to accord him a lenient sentence because he is a father of seven children who depend on him.
The prosecution claimed that Mwangangi stole a purse belonging to a nurse, Oyunge Cement Harriet, containing Ksh.105 and the total value of other valuables coming to Ksh.1,105.
However, Kenyans on Twitter were unhappy and accused the court of charging the man unfairly since the country had lost billions of shillings through corrupt leaders.
Father of 7 charged for stealing ksh 105. Waiguru rewarded for stealing billions from NYS.
— Real Nick Lee (@RealNickLeeKe) 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 charged with stealing Ksh 105 from Kenyatta National Hospital while some corrupt billionaires are walking freely.
— Eliud Njiru (@EliudNjirusky) January 8, 2018
Some accused the state of treating people differently especially when it came to the poor who had no means to defend themselves.
When a country is willing to spend a few thousands of your taxes to charge a Father of 7 with stealing Sh. 105. That is a banana republic.
— DAUDI (@ItsDaudi) January 8, 2018
Look at the society we live in jailing a "Father of 7" for stealing Ksh 105 for 2 years while corruption cartels enjoying the sweat of the tax payer. SmH
— Sensei (@CalebRotich7) January 8, 2018
That a freaking court would waste time sitting to listen to a case of a man stealing 105ksh is a disgrace of law a big joke. The KCB bank robbers didn't even go to jail. And they stole millions. Father of 7
— Soon To Be dad (@TGSmastermind) January 8, 2018
In the usual KOT style, some took the opportunity to be witty by asking the court to calculate the total cost of resources they were using to chase sh105.
Father of 7 charged for stealing Ks105 just shows how our law enforcement agents are doing a great job when it comes to petty crimes but ironically when it comes to cases that matters
— O'Brian waswa (@yobraranxwaswa) January 8, 2018
Let that Father of 7 be heard by the judge who handled NYS scandal, Euro bond and KNH scam so that we ascertain who need a psychiatrist between the two
— ben kirwa (@ben_kirwa) January 8, 2018
Here's a lesson, steal millions u wont be asked steal ksh.100 and be a wanted man,all resources will be used to bring u to 'book' father of 7
— Mr Spook (@itsbillyelvis) January 8, 2018
Others reasoned out that Mwangangi had committed a crime but it did not warrant him to serve jail time instead pleaded with the court to give him community service.
A wise judge or magistrate is all that's needed to bring this saga of "Father of 7" to an end. Sentence him to community service.. which consists of sweeping the courtroom or wiping the tables and chairs. He does it on the spot and goes home. Na KNH waache hiyo ufala
— BlessedKenya (@upuzi_wacha) January 8, 2018
If the Father of 7 is Pardoned, should we then create some law that excludes such cases from prosecution? What will be encouraging? Let us look at the bigger picture, this is a thief whose proverbial 40th day had come, unfortunately, he had only won himself a paltry Ksh. 105.
— Peter Aming'a (@Peter_aminga) January 8, 2018
Mwangangi faced another count of handling stolen goods contrary to the law on similar dates and place.
Magistrate Mutuku referred the matter to the probation officer who will consider whether to grant Mwangangi an out of court sentence.
The case is set to be mentioned on January 12.
