A middle-aged man was on Wednesday sentenced to serve two years in jail by a Murang’a court after he pleaded guilty to charges of destroying his mother’s assorted household goods.
Fredrick Muriungi was charged that on March 18 at Gitiri village of Kahuro Sub County, Murang’a, he maliciously damaged a gate, window panes and assorted household items all valued at Sh30, 000, property of her mother Esther Kakunda.
The accused who appeared before Chief Magistrate Peter Ndigwa pleaded guilty saying his actions were a result of anger and intoxication.
He also stated that he only destroyed a few of the very many utensils in the cupboard, which he did not believe was a serious issue.
According to a probation report presented before the court, the mother described her son as a troublesome member of the family who has caused both emotional and financial distress.
She explained that he disrespects her regularly and only behaves well when his father is present.
In the report, the mother further revealed that despite reporting him to the police on several occasions, no action had been taken.
In an attempt to support her son, Kalunda said she started a second-hand clothes business for him, but he abandoned it without explanation.
The mother opposed a non-custodial sentence, expressing fear that he would retaliate against her and could even kill her.
The accused father Jeremiah Kabogo described his son as a drug addict who had failed to respond to multiple rehabilitation interventions.
Kabogo added that since he is often away from home, Muriungi has continued to disrespect his mother and cause chaos in the household.
He also opposed a non-custodial sentence, arguing that he should remain in custody where access to drugs is limited.
The area administrators led by chief, when interviewed, confirmed that the offender was well-known to them for his disruptive behavior and destruction of his mother’s property.
They also opposed a non-custodial sentence, expressing concern that his release would endanger both his family and the community.
In his mitigation, he claimed that the destroyed items belonged to his father, not his mother, and he could only seek forgiveness from his father.
Despite this, he pleaded for the court’s leniency, asking for a non-custodial sentence, promising to find a job and compensate for the destroyed items.
Probation officer Alice Wamiti noted that given Muriungi’s history of violence, drug abuse, and failure to take responsibility for his actions, he was unsuitable for a non-custodial sentence.
After considering the testimony from both of Muriungi’s parents, the local administration, and the probation officer, the magistrate concluded that he was not eligible for a non-custodial sentence.
He emphasized that the offenders’ parents had made significant efforts to provide him with a better life, but he had failed to make positive changes. Consequently, the magistrate sentenced him to two years in prison without an alternative to paying a fine.
By Bernard Munyao/John Kithuku
