Man jailed for 30 years for murder of human rights activist

Human rights defender Elizabeth Ekaru who was murdered in Isiolo County in 2022 following a land dispute. [File, Standard]

A man convicted for murdering celebrated human rights defender Elizabeth Ekaru has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Meru High Court's Justice Edward Murithi who handed the sentence to Patrick Naweet said the court was seeking to communicate that sexual and gender-based violence had no place in society.

Principal Prosecutor Eric Masila presented 11 witnesses against Naweet and had sought the maximum sentence for murder which is death.

Mr Masila told the court that Naweet had lured the woman to the disputed land where he proceeded to attack her, leading to her death.

Justice Murithi found Naweet guilty of the murder at Kambi Garba in Isiolo County, after he and Ms Ekaru quarrelled over a land boundary dispute in 2022.

Hilary Sandi, the lawyer for Naweet, made attempts to rescue his client and had told the court that Naweet acted in self-defence after she overpowered him and pinned him to the ground.

Justice Murithi said the court considered that a  sentence of imprisonment for a period of 30 years which ensures that the accused is in custody for deterrence, reformation was appropriate.

"Accordingly, for the reasons set above, having convicted the accused for the offence of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the penal code, the court now sentences you, offender, to imprisonment for a period of 30 years," Murithi said.

The sentence shall commence on January 17, 2022, the day Naweet was arraigned and remanded to await his trial.

The Judge said the 'senseless' killing of Ekaru had deprived the community of an accomplished mentor.

He noted that the killing of Ekaru had rendered her children orphans after her husband was also previously killed by bandits.

Speaking after the delivery of the judgment, Coalition for Human Rights Defenders' Protection and Wellness Manager Livingstone Nyando said they had hoped for a more severe punishment.