By Dorothy Musyoka
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has secured a death sentence against three individuals convicted of robbery with violence and gang rape in a landmark judgment delivered at the Principal Magistrate’s Court in Rumuruti, Laikipia County.
The three convict were found guilty of robbing and fatally assaulting Tabitha Wanjiku Njogu and her cousin, Jeremiah Maina, while armed with dangerous weapons, including Maasai swords, knives, and metal rods.
According to the prosecution, led by Mr. Oscar Lamisi, the two victims had left Ms. Wanjiku’s home to attend an overnight church vigil (kesha) but tragically never returned.
“It was alleged that the three accused persons, namely John Ekwuam, Wilfred Njoroge, and Zachariah Lomunyien Kibet, alias Mrefu, while armed with dangerous weapons, namely Maasai swords, knives, and metal rods, jointly robbed Tabitha Wanjiku Njogu of a mobile phone and an unknown amount of money,” explained the ODPP.
“In the course of the robbery, they brutally assaulted her, resulting in her death. During the same incident, another victim, Jeremiah Maina, also lost his life,” added the ODPP.
During the attack, the perpetrators robbed Ms. Wanjiku of her mobile phone and an undisclosed sum of money before subjecting her to a brutal gang rape. Both victims sustained fatal injuries during the ordeal.
The accused were charged with robbery with violence and gang rape contrary to the Sexual Offences Act.
In her ruling, Hon. M. Wachira emphasized the aggravated nature of the crimes, citing the use of weapons, the number of attackers, and the extreme violence inflicted upon the victims.
The court sentenced each of the three men to death for the offence of robbery with violence, the maximum penalty under Kenyan law.
Additionally, they received a 15-year prison sentence for the offence of gang rape.