Chief jailed for stealing relief food

An administrator has been sentenced to serve four-and-a-half years in jail for stealing relief food last year.

Raphael Kathanzu, an assistant chief, was sent to prison alongside peasant farmer Stephen Mutua after being convicted for burglary and theft.

Kathanzu and Mutua were found guilty of breaking into the office of the Kithembe chief's office in Makueni County and stealing cooking oil.

The oil was to be distributed to hunger-stricken people of Kithembe location in Kaiti Constituency, Makueni County.

Kathanzu, assistant chief for Ndiani sub-location, was convicted by Senior Resident Magistrate Patrick Wambugu.

Proved case

In his judgement, Wambugu said the prosecution led by State Prosecutor Mark Wangia had proved the case against Kathanzu and Mutua beyond reasonable doubt.

The magistrate said the two were arrested and the cooking oil they had stolen from the store at the chief's office recovered.

He said the administrator breached the oath of office by engaging in crime instead of protecting public property under his watch.

The magistrate said the tendency by public officers to steal property meant to benefit poor citizens is a serious offence that deserves no mercy.

While sentencing the duo, Wambugu said the offence was serious and ordered the chief to serve four-and-a-half years in jail while he committed Mutua to spend five years in prison.

He gave them 14 days to appeal against the conviction and sentence.