Man sentenced to life for incest

Kabarnet Tuesday May 16, 2023

KNA by Gloria Cheboi/Joshua Kibet

A middle-aged man has been handed a life sentence by a Kabarnet court for committing incest against his 12-year- old niece.

Zakayo Koech who has been under police custody since he was arrested and charged was found guilty of committing the offence after four witnesses testified against him.

The court was told that the convict committed the sexual offence between May 9 and 20, 2021 at Turkwo location in Baringo Central sub-county.

Prosecution counsel Joseck Abwajo told the court that the accused committed a felony and a custodial sentence was mandatory for him upon conviction.

Mr Abwajo stated that the nature of the criminal offence warranted the accused to be handed a life sentence as provided under the Section 20(1) of Sexual Offences Act since the victim was a minor.

Chief Magistrate Judith Wanjala while passing judgment on Monday noted that she had no other option of sentence other than to commit the convict to a life sentence.

The chief magistrate stated that the prosecution's case against the accused had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt and went ahead to order the man to serve life sentence for committing the heinous act against the girl.

The accused who was unrepresented, upon hearing that he had been ordered to serve life imprisonment become speechless and disoriented as he stood in the dock.

When asked to say his prayers to the court, he chose the option of keeping quiet and let the Chief Magistrate to give direction over the case without his input.

Ms Wanjala gave the accused 14 days right of appeal failure to which he shall proceed to prison to start serving his sentence.

Courtesy; K.N.A