A Nakuru man found guilty of stabbing his neighbor to death for spilling his milk has been sentenced to 20 years’ in prison.
Justice Janet Mulwa while sentencing David Njoroge on Wednesday said that the offence was very serious and completely unprovoked.
She said that because of the unwarranted murder, a non-custodial sentence would not suffice.
“I find that a non-custodial sentence will not serve the purpose a sentence is made to serve which is to deter, rehabilitate, restore justice, denounce sin and protect the community,” ruled Judge Mulwa.
She however exercised discretion and avoided sentencing the accused to death saying that there were circumstances that could not warrant a death sentence.
Firstly, she considered that the accused was a first offender. She factored that the accused was ill and had undergone surgery on his abdomen.
Mulwa also took into consideration the accused’s mitigation and pleadings.
“The accused pleaded for a non-custodial sentence. He said that he had reformed, he is saved and had become a pastor, and he also sought forgiveness saying that he was remorseful,” said Mulwa.
She went ahead to sentence the accused to 20 years’ in prison with a 14-day window for the accused to appeal his sentence.
“I, therefore, proceed to sentence the accused to 20 years’ in prison,” she ruled.
Njoroge was accused of stabbing Kennedy Waithigo several times after the latter accidentally spilled his milk.
Njoroge allegedly stabbed Waithigo at around 6.30pm on August 20, 2014, at Costarica Trading Centre in Rongai Sub-County, Nakuru County.
