Journalists in Mombasa paid a Sh50,000 fine to secure freedom for a woman who had been jailed at Shimo La Tewa Prison.
Photos of the woman's kids holding a banner indicating that they were missing their mother went viral after she failed to raise the fine on charges of assault.
The photo prompted the scribes to devise a solution, above their mundane assignment of reporting issues in the society.
Pauline Atieno had been taken to court by her neighbor following a fight over their children.
“I found my neighbor beating my kid who had poured water on her’s and arguments led to a fight,” she said after her release.
Atieno was reported to the police for biting her neighbour.
At the court, she was sentenced to six months with an alternative of Sh50,000 fine.
Unable to raise the fine, began her sentenced after efforts to settle the matter out of court failed.
Later, her two kids aged 10 and 5 were pictured with a banner written:
“We miss our mum. A fine of Sh50,000 we can’t afford. Forgive us.”
Billy Miya, a local radio presenter asked his friends through social media to help raise the cash to secure her release.
Other journalists in Mombasa topped up the mount and she was released on Monday.
“Today in the afternoon I could not believe it after I was told that my fine had been paid. I was happy and surprised and I was told its a journalist who paid the fine… I’m very thankful,” she said.
