Two fined Sh100,000 for transporting charcoal illegally

Kabarnet

Tuesday July 25, 2023

KNA by Gloria Cheboi/Joshua Kibet

Two people found illegally transporting 120 bags of charcoal with street value of Sh 96,000 without a permit have been fined Sh 50,000 each or in default serve six months in prison by a Kabarnet court.

John Wambugu and Rhoda Wanjiru were accused that on July 21, 2023 at around 7pm at Labos Block 4 area in Marigat Sub County, they were found transporting the said charcoal using a White Lorry Registration NO.KDC 898R, make Isuzu FRR without a movement permit from Chief Conservator of Forest.

The accused were convicted for transporting the forest produce without license, an offence which is contrary to the Forest Conservation and Management Act of 2016 laws of Kenya.

The suspects who were apprehended by officers from Marigat police station were placed under custody in the station on the same day.

In mitigation, second accused Wanjiru while appearing before Principal Magistrate Caroline Ateya on Monday pleaded for leniency claiming that she is a single mother and sole breadwinner of four, children, two of whom are adopted orphans.

The first accused, Wambugu also appealed to the court to forgive and acquit him as he was the sole breadwinner for his family that include his two children and himself.

Wambugu also requested the court to order that the impounded lorry be given back to him claiming it was still the property of a bank after he used it as a security for a loan that he was still servicing.

The Principal Magistrate ordered the state’s seizure of the 120 bags of charcoal.

Ateya further gave Wambugu 14 days to come up with valid reasons as to why the vehicle should not also be forfeited.

The case is set for a mention on August 7.

Courtesy ; K. N. A