Thika Chief Magistrate Hon. Stella Atambo was compassionate to a college student arraigned for stealing whisky worth KSh 1,800 from a Naivas Supermarket outlet. The magistrate was concerned that allowing the 23-year-old to take plea and face criminal charges would taint his record and advised that he pays the Supermarket instead of getting charged.
"You're only 23 and if you're charged, this will mean you'll have a criminal record. You have a long way to go in life and such an offense shouldn't taint your integrity. Only 1,800," she said. The magistrate was curious to know if the male lawyers in the courtroom knew the whisky brand the young man had stolen and how much it cost in the shelves.
She further before told them to save the day for their fellow boy-child who risked ruining his reputation over an offense that could be settled out of court. She inquired if the young man could afford the whisky price which he'd earlier claimed was inflated a bit. The 23-year-old confessed he was unable to pay.
Atambo, on a light note, urged lawyers in the house to help the young man raise the money to help the accused clear his reputation, saying it was a mentorship opportunity for them. Sisi kama walala hoii we are saying Asanti Sana to Hon. Stella Atambo for showing compassion to one of our own.🥹