Life Sentence for Petty Theft: Kenyan Justice System Under Scrutiny

Life Sentence for 2,000 Shilling Theft Sparks Debate in Kenya A Kenyan man, Bernard Kimori, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the theft of 2,000 shillings and two Nokia phones. The incident occurred in September 2021 in Mgama village, Taita Taveta County. Kimori appealed the initial ruling, but the High Court upheld the life sentence on May 16th, 2025. Judge Asenath Ongeri stated that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to warrant the harsh penalty. The case has sparked a public debate about the proportionality of the sentence, with many questioning whether life imprisonment is justified for such a relatively minor crime. "It's hard to believe," said one resident, "that someone would get life in prison for such a small amount of money." The case raises questions about the Kenyan justice system and its approach to sentencing.