Embu: Man tells court he smokes bhang to enable him dig toilets, boreholes

A 34-year-old man on Thursday told an Embu Court that he smokes bhang to carry out his job of digging boreholes and latrines.

Joseph Mukindi Njeru, appearing before Embu Chief Magistrate Maxwell Gicheru, admitted to being in possession of bhang.

Mukundi was charged that on August 14, 2018, he was found in possession of 16 rolls of marijuana with a street value of Ksh.1,600 at Kianjokoma area.

The accused denied intending to peddle the drugs, saying his stock was for consumption only.

He stated that due to the nature of his work, which involves digging boreholes and toilets that sometimes go several feet below the ground, he smokes bhang regularly to keep cool down the hole.

Mukundi further stated that despite admitting to being in possession of drugs during his arrest, police officers still assaulted him hence causing him bodily harm.

The magistrate directed Manyatta Police Station OCS to appear in court with a full report over the assault allegations.

The accused was released on Ksh.50,000 bond with surety of a similar amount or cash bail of Ksh.10,000. He was further ordered to appear in court on August 30, 2018.