Dangerous motorbike ride hands man death sentence

Kenya: Duncan Mugenyi's youthful blood was pumping as he rode his motorbike at a dangerous speed down a narrow street in Kuria.

The cold breeze hitting his chest and cloud of dust trailing his almost flying bike filled his heart with joy.

He was no doubt riding on cloud nine with not a care in the world; not even care for the pedestrians using the narrow road.

He, therefore, became extremely angry when he lost control of the speeding bike and landed on the rough road with a thud.

Minutes later, the spot where the accident occurred would turn into a murder scene after Mugenyi turned his anger on a pedestrian who came to his rescue.

Last week, Mugenyi was sentenced to death by the High Court in Migori for the murder of Alfred Manyinyi, the man who, shortly after the accident, tried to advise him about road safety.

Pedestrians using the road at the time recounted how Mugenyi whipped out a dagger and stabbed Manyinyi several times when the latter asked him: "Why don't you young people ride your motorbikes more carefully?"

A Government pathologist who examined the body told the court it had a stab wound on the left lower back side, and an incision wound on the left side of the abdomen which had penetrated the left kidney.

Put on his defence by the court, Mugenyi attempted to shift blame to the deceased, accusing him of starting the altercation that led to the death.

He claimed there existed a land grudge between his family and that of the deceased – a defence that was quashed by the court.

"I find that the accused is the person who assaulted the deceased with a knife. I dismiss his defence that he was not present at the scene or that the case against him is the result of a grudge," ruled Justice David Majanja.