ODM leader Raila Odinga has called for the immediate release of Alvin Linus Chivono, a man who was charged with stealing at the Naivas Supermarket.
A Nairobi court sentenced a 21-year-old man to one year in prison or a fine of KSh100,000 for allegedly shoplifting foodstuffs from a popular supermarket within Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).
Linus was accused of stealing 5kgs of rice, 5 litres of cooking oil, 2kgs of sugar, and other items valued at KSh3,165 from a Naivas Supermarket branch in Nairobi.
Delivering her ruling, Milimani Chief Magistrate, Wendy Kagendo, stated that the court had found Alvin Chivondo guilty of the offense of shoplifting and hence the sentence.
However, while accusing the courts of acting out of sync with the prevailing economic situation in the country, the former Prime Minister sympathized with the man and called for his release.
Taking to his official social media pages, the Azimio la Umoja presidential flag bearer said it was wrong for petty offenders to be jailed yet real criminals are freely campaigning ahead of the August 9, elections.
“Let Alvin Linus Chivondo be released unconditionally! Criminals are now getting a reprieve to campaign freely, while petty offenders are being jailed.
Raila, who is eying the country’s top seat for a record fifth time further said it does not make sense to jail a Kenyan parent for trying to put something on the table for his family.
“Let the courts get their priorities right, for once, you can’t jail a man for trying to feed his family,” Raila said in a Tweet.
The sentiments have elicited sharp reactions from Deputy President William Ruto’s allies who said Raila should settle the KSh 100k fine instead of unjustly castigating the Magistrate.
“It would have been legally prudent and helpful for Raila Odinga to have paid the fine of Kshs 100,000.00 on behalf of and settled the needy young man in a paying job instead of unjustly castigating the Magistrate who issued a lawful sentence or belittling the judicial process,” Havi said in a Tweet.
