Eldoret lady's intimate photos get her thrown in jail for 10 years

Mercy Chepchumba from Soi Eldoret is serving a 10-year sentence for allegedly sending intimate photos. She has so far served 8 months of that term.

She says she left Timboroa for Nairobi in search of a better future not knowing she would end up behind bars.

Sharing her experience on the local show 'Njeraini Citu' Mercy sadly narrated,

"I asked a friend to help me find something to do so that I could travel to Nairobi. I got a job in Kasarani but left because the woman would sometimes delay my salary."

Adding,

"The woman who landed me in prison, I met her through Facebook. I started living with her. She wanted me to get married to her brother but when I turned down the offer she got very angry.

I never thought my refusal was something to complicate our relationship. She says she couldn't get married to the guy as he was being taken care of by the woman she met via Facebook."

She got into a WhatsApp group only to land in jail,

"I got added to the group and I started sending the intimate photos. The photos can be taken while completely nude or semi-dressed. 

The nudes went to everyone on my contact list. The woman I was living with got mad because she got my nudes. I asked her to forgive me and I thought she had. I blocked her and she got mad."

Mercy said her Facebook friend called her demanding to know why she had sent him her steamy videos.

"I was picked up by people from Kasarani Police Station. The police officers called me very bad names. All the friends I had ran away. I am currently serving a 10-year sentence at Langata Women's prison. I have served 8 months so far."

She says she left behind a child, she is not sure who is taking care of her anymore

"My sister said she couldn't take care of her. My grandmother is old and my mum is deceased."

Her advise?

"Being in jail is not easy nor fun, people should stop wanting to come here."

Many people have termed the sentence as harsh saying that Mercy deserves another chance;

@simonnganga9748: Very unfair sentence.

@maggiemwara7929: Nude ziko telegram mingi na hawashikwi. God akutetee.

@gracewanja1297: Aaaiiii apana... Alipatana na judge mbaya kama amekasirika...iyo haifai ten yrs aki...tafuta lawyer tumsaidie atoke. Tutachanga kibe...hizi nudes huwa zinatumwa Kila siku na vile watu wanaanikana aaaiiii

@frashiakimari2021: Saa wanasema 10yrs jela ju ya mwili yake surely? I bet sex workers basi hawafai kuwa Kenya ..... Na pia tumeona wengine why her .....justice ifuatiliwe ..... Unashika mtu ju ya mwili yake na huku Mali ya uma inatumiwa anyhowly na wenyewe wako free to even grab more than before ..... Mbona msishughulikie swala muhimu badala ya miili za watu.

@janemwangi605: Simon kibe, huyu mshichana a nafaa kusamehewa aedelee na maisha akiwa angalia mdogo. Kuna wale case ZAO ni baya WEZI, wauaji, but wamewachiliwa, even this girl should be out of the jail. Thanks kibe God bless you.

@mercywambui2400: This is sad ...nudes ten years Kenya ni jokes at times. Jela ni za maskini....picha zimejaa telegram why are they not jailed Huyo boss alikuwa nazake.

@wamwerusicily4208: mbona mwizi Huwa anafungwa mia mbili ama moja na huyu msichana n uchi yake alituma hii si fear aki.

@reggiekamau9865: Ata huyo judge hakua fair.watu wamejaza nudes Kila mahali.kwa Nini hawafuatwi .I'm not supporting it but since when ilifanyika crime? They just want to spoil this girl's Life.