Couple admits using five disabled Tanzania children to beg for alms

A couple has admitted bringing disabled children from Tanzania into the country and using them to earn money by begging in city streets.

Mr Jisena Kulwa Dutu, a Tanzanian, and his Kenyan wife Josephine Mueni appeared before Makadara principal magistrate Terry Ngugi.

Accompanying the couple were the five paralysed children. A bag containing money in various denominations was also exhibited in court.

“Your honour police have brought before this court these unusual exhibits - distraught paralysed children and a bag containing the alms they had collected from good Samaritans. I wish to produce them before this court,” prosecutor Esther Ngure said. Ms Ngure added that the cash in the bag amounted to Sh13,000.

The police officer said the money was recovered from the couple’s house in Umoja II, Nairobi, on September 16, 2010.

“What do I do with the children?” Mrs Ngugi asked the prosecutor, who responded: “Direct that they be remanded in one of the children’s homes then summon the children’s officer for further advice.”

Mrs Ngugi directed that the children, who pitifully stared at her, be remanded for one week at the Nairobi Children’s Home. She also ordered a children’s officer to appear before her on September 24.

The couple admitted harbouring foreign children and subjecting them to labour.

“Under the Children’s Act subjecting a child to labour knowingly is punishable. The offence attracts a fine of Sh50,000 or a jail term not exceeding 12 months,” said Ms Ngure.

The prosecutor further said that any person who harboured a foreigner can be fined Sh20,000 or jailed for one year.

In his mitigation Mr Dutu said: “I brought the children from Tanzania where I sell lesos (kanga) to eke my living.”

He said he did not intend to deprive the crippled children of their rights but wanted to use the money they were collecting to build a house for them back home.

“I also use the alms they collect for their upkeep,” the man told the magistrate.

On her part Ms Mueni pleaded for mercy, saying when she married Mr Dutu he did not have any crippled children in his home.

Mrs Ngugi will sentence them on September 24.

Source: Daily Nation.