Alvin Linus Chivondo, a 22-year-old who pleaded guilty to shoplifting before being bailed out by ex Nairobi governor Mike Sonko last month has been rearrested on a similar offence.
Reports show that Alvin is in custody awaiting to be charged for allegedly stealing maize flour from Naivas Supermarket, Ronald Ngala Street on Thursday, May 19.
Previously, Alvin was handed a 1-year sentence with an alternative of a Ksh 100,000 fine after he pleaded guilty to stealing 5kgs of rice, 5 litres of cooking oil, 2kgs of sugar and other items valued at Ksh 3,165.
Alvin is a serial shoplifter
Notably, the chief magistrate Wendy Micheni while sentencing the accused noted that the supermarket has been a victim of shoplifters and noted that as of April 12, 2022, it had forgiven another four suspects facing similar offences.
The prosecutor also told the court that the accused had previously been arrested at the said supermarket but was forgiven by the OCS in charge of Nairobi Central Police Station.
Alvin, who is a casual labour, in mitigation, told the court that he and his family slept hungry for three days before opting to steal the food items.
The case which attracted public outcry saw ODM leader Raila Odinga call for his unconditional release.
In his reaction to the sentencing, Raila stated that it was unfair that the courts allowed certain unnamed politicians, who have active criminal charges to campaign freely, while petty offenders were handed punitive jail terms.
The presidential hopeful challenged the courts to get their priorities right.
“Let Alvin Linus Chivondo be released unconditionally!. Criminals are now getting a reprieve to campaign freely, while petty offenders are being jailed. Let the courts get their priorities right, for once, you can’t jail a man for trying to feed his family,” Raila stated.
