Man jailed seven years for assaulting police officer

Kakamega Law Courts has sentenced a 24-year-old man to seven years imprisonment for assaulting a police officer.  

Kakamega Principal Magistrate James Masiga on Wednesday raised concern over the increasing cases of assault on police officers and emphasized the need for a deterrent sentence to curb the trend. 

"Considering the defendant's admission and mitigating factors, notably his previous six-year sentence, it's evident that assaults on police officers are becoming increasingly prevalent. There's a pressing need to deter such behavior. Therefore, for counts one, two, and three, the defendant is sentenced to seven years each and for count four, one year. These sentences shall run concurrently from today," said Masiga. 

Kayesi was accused of assaulting police constable Wellington Wanyonyi while on duty at a roundabout in Kakamega Central sub-county on May 22.  

He also faced charges of obstructing police officers in their execution of duty, willfully resisting arrest, and creating disturbance likely to cause breach of peace. 

The incident occurred when PC Wanyonyi and his colleague PC Pauline Masinde encountered Kayesi around 8:30 pm near the governor's office. The convict berated Wanyonyi, threatening retribution for a previous arrest and incarceration. He then attacked the police officer with a sharp object, injuring his fingers. 

"The public apprehended Kayesi and brought him to Kakamega Police Station," said prosecutor Moraa Atandi. "Despite being in custody, Kayesi continued to issue threats to police officers approaching him, and even attempted to damage the cell bars." 

PC Wanyonyi sought treatment at Kakamega Hospital and submitted a P3 form, presented as evidence by the prosecution. 

Kayesi pleaded guilty to all charges before magistrate Masiga citing a previous altercation with the policeman that resulted in his six-year imprisonment.