On 15 September 2001 Peter Muturi Syengo was found in possession of 20 grams of bhang at Mathigira village in Mbeere District.[1] Bhang is the local term for cannabis sativa, charged here under section 3 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.[1] Syengo pleaded guilty before the Resident Magistrate’s Court at Siakago, was convicted, and was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.[1]

On 7 November 2002 the High Court at Embu heard his appeal against the sentence only and noted he had already served slightly over a year of the term.[1] The judge allowed the appeal, reducing the three-year term to the period already served, and ordered Syengo to be set at liberty unless otherwise lawfully held.[1]