This archive report was first published on 11 July 2019.
On July 10, 2019, police in Nyeri arrested an 83-year-old woman, Lydia Mumbi, for allegedly peddling bhang in the Muthinga area of Tetu Sub-county.
According to the prosecution, Mumbi was a known peddler who had been on the police radar for some time.
At the time of her arrest, Mumbi was carrying 600 grams of cannabis sativa concealed in dry banana leaves in a woven sisal basket.
She allegedly passes herself off as a ripe banana fruit vendor and makes deliveries to her son, who sells the narcotics to locals.
Senior Resident Magistrate Nelly Kariuki ordered Mumbi to be held in police custody until July 15, when a determination will be made on whether to charge her with the offense of being in possession of or trafficking bhang.
"Poor women have no business smoking weed," a figure accompanying the article read.
