Thika magistrate wins praise after sparing student arraigned for stealing Sh1,800 Whisky

Thika Chief Magistrate Stella Atambo won the admiration of Kenyans after showing rare compassion to a 23-year-old college student who was charged with stealing whisky worth Sh1,800 from a supermarket outlet.

The young man, who looked visibly shaken in court, was expected to take a plea for the petty offence.

However, Magistrate Atambo paused the proceedings after realising the heavy consequences the student would carry for the rest of his life if he was convicted.

“You’re only 23, and if you’re charged, this will mean you’ll have a criminal record,” she told the student calmly. “You have a long way to go in life, and such an offence shouldn’t taint your integrity. Only 1,800.”

Her remarks immediately shifted the mood inside the courtroom.

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Thika Chief Magistrate Hon. Stella Atambo was compassionate to a college student arraigned for stealing whisky worth KSh 1,800 from a Naivas Supermarket outlet. The magistrate was concerned that allowing the 23-year-old to take plea and face criminal charges would taint his record and advised that he pays the Supermarket instead of getting charged. "You're only 23 and if you're charged, this will mean you'll have a criminal record. You have a long way to go in life and such an offense shouldn't taint your integrity. Only 1,800," she said. The magistrate was curious to know if the male lawyers in the courtroom knew the whisky brand the young man had stolen and how much it cost in the shelves. She further before told them to save the day for their fellow boy-child who risked ruining his reputation over an offense that could be settled out of court. She inquired if the young man could afford the whisky price which he'd earlier claimed was inflated a bit. The 23-year-old confessed he was unable to pay. Atambo, on a light note, urged lawyers in the house to help the young man raise the money to help the accused clear his reputation, saying it was a mentorship opportunity for them. Asanti Sana to Hon. Stella Atambo for showing compassion to one of our own.

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She questioned whether any of the male lawyers present even knew the whisky brand involved or its actual cost on supermarket shelves.

The magistrate went on to urge the lawyers appearing in court that day to help the boy child by assisting him in settling the amount owed to the supermarket, rather than letting him proceed with a criminal process that could close doors for him later in life.

She also asked the accused whether he could afford the whisky, to which he honestly admitted he could not.

Following through, Atambo appealed to the lawyers to contribute and help the student clear the cost.

She described it as a mentorship opportunity, reminding them that sometimes justice is not just about punishment, it’s also about guidance, compassion and giving young people a second chance.

Her gesture spread quickly on social media, with many Kenyans praising her for her humane approach to justice.

"A visionary magistrate. She is very considerate, and has wisdom in abundance...a mother by example," one quipped.

Atambo’s act has sparked conversations about the need for empathy within the justice system, especially for young offenders.