Sheila Wairimu alias Shay Diva Africa was found guilty of motor vehicle theft by a Kitale court on November 30, 2022, before she was sentenced on December 5, 2022.
Shay Diva has been sentenced to four years in prison or a fine of Ksh200,000 after she was found guilty of stealing her late lover’s Toyota Land Cruiser V8.
The socialite was dating Asian tycoon Dodhia Kumar before he met his death.
She was then accused of transferring ownership of the vehicle under unclear circumstances
Kitale Chief Magistrate Julius N’garng’ar also ordered Shay Diva to return the Toyota Landcruiser 200 series back to the family of the deceased.
“I have considered the mitigation I will take into the account that the accused is a first offender. I have also considered the circumstances under which the offence was committed and the plea in mitigation by the council of the accused,” ruled Chief Magistrate N’garng’ar.
The accused was charged with three counts of intermeddling with family Estate, forgery and stealing.
She was fined Ksh10, 000 fine or risk two months jail, Ksh150,000 fine or risk 3 years jail term and Ksh40, 000 or risk 1 year jail term respectively in the three counts.
Shay Diva’s lawyer David Teti asked the court for mercy and leniency saying the socialite was the breadwinner for her family.
“My client is very remorseful. She has a family who depends on her (kids). She double up as a care giver to her ill mother who severe from heart condition, High blood pressure and diabetes. If given a custodial sentence she would be able to take care of her mother,” the lawyer told the court.
“Her mother is a widow and does not have any source of income. My client has four siblings who are all students who depend on her for the basic needs including one who is seating for this year’s KCSE who is a day scholar. She is a first offender and plead with the court for fair sentence,” he added.
The lawyer further claimed that Shay Diva’s only mistake was falling in love with the late Dodhia Kumar,
“I wish the deceased could be alive to tell the love story. I hope you will give her a custodial sentence,” the lawyer said.
