A Dandora garbage collector recently pleaded guilty to marijuana possession, attributed to his use of the drug to dealing with the painful experiences of seeing mutilated human body parts, including heads and hands, while working at the dump site.
Shadrack Omondi admitted to the offense of possessing 17 rolls of cannabis sativa worth sh1,700. On November 3, he was discovered in Dandora phase 5 with accomplices who have since faced charges. However, Omondi denied the charge of possession of a 6 kg sea gas cylinder that was allegedly illegally obtained.
Officers apprehended Omondi and his companion, who were carrying the cylinder. They were discovered to be in possession of the substances, a grill, and a bag when they frisked.
Omondi managed to slip away while being escorted to the station, but later appeared at Dandora police station the next day, claiming that the police took from him. Omondi admitted to smoking when presented to makadara court chief magistrate Gesora, citing the traumatic scenes at the dumping site.
“I work at Nairobi’s dumping site, which is brimming with horrific scenes. I have seen severely mutilated body parts of humans and fetuses,” he said.
Omondi urged the court to exercise leniency, stating that he has a family dependent on him and there are no alternative means of support. He was released on a cash bail of sh5,000, pending a hearing on June 10 next year. The court ruled that the accused should have sought psychiatric assistance and was fined sh30,000 for the drug use charge.