High Court imposes a 40-year sentence on Naftali Kinuthia, for the murder of Moi University medical student Ivy Wangeci
Justice Stephen Githinji, in delivering the verdict, affirmed that the prosecution successfully established the charge of murder, culminating in the conviction of the accused.
Naftali Kinuthia convicted of murdering Ivy Wangeci and sentenced to 40 years in prison
In a definitive judgment, the High Court in Eldoret has imposed a 40-year sentence on Naftali Kinuthia, having found him guilty of the murder of Moi University medical student Ivy Wangeci four years ago.
Justice Stephen Githinji, in delivering the verdict, affirmed that the prosecution successfully established the charge of murder, culminating in the conviction of the accused.
Discrediting Kinuthia’s defense, wherein he asserted being provoked by Ivy’s termination of their romantic relationship, the judge underscored the absence of evidence supporting the existence of an intimate relationship between the two. Justice Githinji emphasized, “Even the scrutinized text messages failed to substantiate the existence of an intimate relationship, and the accused did not provide evidence of a sexual connection with the deceased.”
Emphasizing the gravity of the offense, the judge highlighted that Kinuthia utilized a lethal weapon—an axe—to deliver fatal blows to the victim, leaving her with no chance of survival. Githinji stated, “If he did not intend to kill her, he would have resorted to using his bare fists instead of the axe.” The judge categorically rejected Kinuthia’s claims of provocation.
During the virtual proceedings, Kinuthia, confined in Eldoret GK prison, remotely received the verdict, while Justice Githinji delivered the judgment from his current location in Malindi.
Both the family of the deceased and the prosecution advocated for the imposition of the maximum sentence for the murder conviction. Family lawyer Kiroko Ndegwa implored the court to administer a severe punishment, emphasizing that the accused had not expressed remorse for the heinous act.
Conversely, the defense team, under the leadership of Wokabi Mathenge, is contemplating the initiation of an appeal against Justice Githinji’s decision, indicating potential legal measures to contest the trial’s outcome.
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