A Murang'a court has slapped a census enumerator, who reported to work while drunk, on August 29, with a four months imprisonment or a fine of Ksh 20,000.
Resident Magistrate Victoria Ochanda also charged the suspect, Samson Ndirangu, for violating the oath of secrecy he took when he got the job.
The court heard that Ndirangu blacked out inside one of the houses located in Mukuyu Market, near Murang’a Town, therefore absconding his duties.
According to the prosecutor, Edith Otieno, when Ndirangu failed to report back to his supervisor, he was declared missing, leading to a search for him.
The prosecutor disclosed that the Fourth Year student at Chuka University was later found fast asleep in his girlfriend’s house, without the enumeration kit.
Ndirangu was then rushed to Murang’a Level 5 Hospital by a local village elder and Kenya National Bureau of Statistics officers.
He regained consciousness after undergoing treatment and later directed the officers to another woman's house where the gadget was found in good condition.
Ndirangu pleaded guilty to the charge and appealed for leniency, claiming that he's graduation was due soon, noting that he was likely going to miss out.
The university student also pointed out that he had already covered his designated area of enumeration before taking one too many.
The magistrate directed that the suspect be held at Murang’a Police Station as he awaits the extra charge.
