Bhang./FILE
A 58-year-old man stunned an Eldoret court on Monday after he openly admitted to cultivating bhang on his small farm, describing the illegal crop as one of his main sources of income.
Geoffrey Lingori, a certificate holder in mechanics from the Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVTTI) in Eldoret, appeared before Principal Magistrate Kimani Mukabi facing charges of drug cultivation and trafficking.
Lingori was arrested by officers from Langas police station after police found him in possession of 34,000 grams of cannabis, with a street value exceeding Sh1 million. The seized plants had been grown on his farm.
Acting on a tip-off, detectives attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Eldoret raided the suspect’s farm, where it was confirmed the suspect had indeed planted bhang.
During the Monday court proceedings, Lingori openly admitted to the offence, leaving magistrates, prosecutors and members of the public astonished.
"Your honour, it is true that I plant bhang on my small parcel of land as my main source of income,” said Lingori.
The charge sheet against the suspect stated that on August 15, 2026, at Malel village in Kapseret sub-county, Uasin Gishu County, he cultivated cannabis, weighing 34,000 grams, with a street value of Sh1,032,000.
Lingori was also charged with trafficking cannabis, weighing 50 grams, valued at Sh1,500.
The suspect is currently being held at Eldoret GK remand prison pending the determination of his cases relating to cultivation of prohibited plants and trafficking of narcotic drugs.
Magistrate Mukabi is set to determine his fate on September 18, 2026.
