By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
Milimani High Court judge Hon. Daniel Ogola Ogembo has sentenced a 36-year-old man to serve 40 years in prison for the murder of a fourth-year Law student.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, Hillary Kipkorir Yego the suspect conducted the heinous act on the fateful night of June 28, 2017, around 11 pm along Limuru Road in Nairobi County.
“Hillary Kipkorir Yego murdered Maxwell Gakure Kariuki on June 28, 2017, around 11 PM along Limuru Road in Nairobi County,” stated the ODPP.
Prosecution Counsel Mercy Njoroge informed the court that the deceased was 26 years old when he passed away and was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Law at Mount Kenya University.
She also urged the court to consider a harsh sentence for the accused, citing his apparent lack of remorse.
According to Justice Ogembo, the suspect was not remorseful of his acts as he maintained that he was innocent despite the court ruling.
“While delivering the sentence, Justice Daniel Ogola Ogembo observed that despite the accused being found guilty and further convicted, he still maintained that he was innocent hence didn’t show any sign of remorse for the act he had committed,” added the ODPP.
Justice Ogembo also took note of a pre-sentence report which highlighted the profound impact of Maxwell’s death on his family, noting that the deceased’s mother is bedridden and his father traumatized due to the pain of the loss of a child.
However, the Judge ruled that the sentence will be accounted for from July 24, 2017, the date when the accused was arraigned and charged with murder under Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.