The Wang’uru court in Kirinyaga County has sentenced Brian Macharia to six months in jail or a Sh10,000 fine for possessing bhang. Macharia admitted the charge and stated he uses bhang to endure the tough work of scaring birds in rice fields in the Mwea area. The ruling was delivered by Chief Magistrate Martha Opanga following his explanation.
On January 9 this year, Brian Macharia was found with nine and a half grams of bhang valued at Sh950 in Kiriko village, Kirinyaga County. Upon appearing in court, Macharia did not deny the charge and openly admitted it. “It is true I had that bhang. I smoke bhang because the work I do is very hard. Now I realize that possessing and smoking bhang is against the law. I beg the court to forgive me. I will not do this mistake again,” Macharia said, remarks that shocked those present in the courtroom.
Macharia explained that he is a casual laborer earning a living by scaring birds in rice fields in the Mwea area, and that bhang helps him perform that job properly. Chief Magistrate Martha Opanga, after hearing these details, gave him the option of paying a Sh10,000 fine or serving a six-month jail term if unable to pay. This incident highlights the challenges faced by casual workers in agricultural areas but also underscores the importance of adhering to laws on narcotics.
The ruling serves as a reminder to the public that possessing bhang is illegal in Kenya and can have significant personal consequences.