Eldoret handcart operator tells court he smokes marijuana to relieve stress, get appetite

A handcart puller who was arrested for possessing 37 rolls of bhang has told an Eldoret court that he needs the prohibited drug to help him relieve stress.

Victor Ndori, who operates a handcart in Eldoret City, appeared before Principal Magistrate Nancy Barasa to answer the charge of possession of narcotics.

He pleaded guilty to possessing a controlled substance and selling it to students, an offence committed on October 2, 2025, in Uasin Gishu County.

The court heard that Ndori was arrested by police during a regular patrol and subsequently taken to the Eldoret Central Police Station, processed, and arraigned in court.

Ndori admitted to the facts of the case, stating that he uses the drug as a stress reliever and not for harmful purposes.

“It is unfortunate, your honour, to find myself in this situation. To tell the truth, I use drugs as a stress reliever. I don’t use them for wrongdoing. Please be lenient with me, and I promise not to repeat this offence. The only issue is that I cannot eat in the evening without it,” Ndori told a packed courtroom.

He requested a non-custodial sentence, explaining that he is a regular user of bhang to cope with the demands of his job.

“I usually wake up early in the morning when it is extremely cold to participate in cleaning activities in the city,” he said, adding:

“I plead for mercy, your honour. I take this harmful drug because of the nature of my job; it really requires me to smoke bhang. Believe me or not, I must smoke cannabis before my evening meals after a long day of work. You can confirm this with my neighbours.”

Barasa ordered Ndori to be remanded at the Eldoret Remand Prison until October 27, when she will deliver her judgment.