By Dorothy Musyoka
A Kiambu man has been sentenced to death after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) secured his conviction for robbery with violence, rape and murder in a case that shocked the Gatundu North community earlier this year.
The court found Joseph Ndichu Gitau guilty of brutally attacking and killing a woman in Gatei village, Gatundu North, in January 2025.
“The court ruled that Prosecutions Counsels Joy Kaaria and Wamuyu Ngugi had presented compelling evidence linking Joseph Ndichu Gitau to the brutal robbery, rape and murder of a woman at Gatei village in Gatundu North, Kiambu County, in January 2025,” explained the ODPP.
According to the prosecution, the crime occurred on January 17, 2025, when the accused forcefully entered the victim’s home.
“Prosecution told court that on 17th January 2025, the accused, together with another suspect still at large, robbed the deceased of various household items before fatally attacking her,” stated the ODPP.
According to the reports, forensic evidence later confirmed that the deceased had been sexually assaulted either before or after the fatal attack.
The ODPP presented nine witnesses, whose testimonies, coupled with forensic analysis, placed the accused squarely at the scene of the crime.
Investigators recovered a kitchen knife, identified as the murder weapon and several stolen items from the accused’s residence.
In a dramatic turn, Gitau was apprehended after he allegedly posted a photograph of himself on the deceased’s Facebook profile using her stolen phone.
The suspicious post alerted neighbours, who had just discovered the victim’s body, prompting swift police action.
In delivering the judgment, the court commended the prosecution team for presenting a solid case that left no doubt about the accused’s guilt.
The judge noted that the evidence met the legal threshold for conviction on all counts.
The ODPP welcomed the ruling, reaffirming its commitment to securing justice for victims of violent crimes and upholding the rule of law.
The office emphasized that such convictions highlight its unwavering dedication to protecting vulnerable members of society and deterring future offenders.