Four people convicted of the murder of former Kabete Member of Parliament George Muchai, his two bodyguards, and driver have been sentenced to death at the Milimani Law Courts.
Muchai was killed at the Kenyatta Avenue Uhuru Highway Roundabout in Westlands, Nairobi, in February 2015.
The MP’s car had slowed down to allow him to purchase a newspaper when a masked man shot them at close range
The convicts, Erick Munyera Isabwa, Erick Munyera, Raphael Kimani, Mustafa Kimani, and Stephen Asitiva, were sentenced on Thursday, April 9, 11 years after the gruesome murder.
“The four were sentenced to death on Thursday following their conviction on three counts of robbery with violence. The prosecution proved that on the nights of February 6 and February 7, 2015, the four accused persons violently robbed Michael Ngatia, Gladys Waithera, and Irene Muthoni on separate occasions while armed with a G3 rifle and pistols and threatened to use violence against them,” the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said in a statement.
The case prosecuted by Willy Momanyi, Principal Prosecution Counsel, presented a strong case supported by testimony from 36 witnesses who provided evidence linking the accused persons to the crimes.
According to ODPP, during the robbery incidents, the accused persons stole property, including two motor vehicles, a gas cylinder, four mobile phones, a laptop, and cash. The property was valued at KSh 1.1 million.
Though the convicts pleaded for leniency and had no previous criminal records, Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina noted that the offenses outweighed their mitigation, despite the convicts being first offenders.
He emphasised the victims were kidnapped and robbed on the material night.
“I have gone through and taken note of the submissions made in relation to each of the convict’s hearings. A plea for leniency has been made in respect of each, and each has expressed remorse. While the convicts indicated remorse, the offenses were very serious, and the victims also deserve justice. The offenses were committed with utmost impunity, armed with rifles previously robbed from a police officer… The convicts are sentenced to death on counts 1, 2, and 3,” Onyina ruled.
The court also sentenced Jane Wanjiru and Margaret Njeri to 10 years in prison for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition.
Onyina stated that any parties not convinced by the sentences have 14 days from the ruling date to appeal.
