Man sentenced after claiming 'demonic hallucinations' drove him to kill wife

The High Court in Kakamega has handed a man six years in jail with an additional two years, under non-custodial supervision, after he was found guilty of killing his wife.

Dishon Misichi, 44, who killed his wife Mersa Mukaruki in 2021, entered a plea bargain that saw his offence reduced from murder to manslaughter.

Misichi claimed ‘demons and hallucinations’ led him to kill his wife at Ikuye village, Sarane sub-location in Kakamega County on January 22.

Justice Patrick Otieno, who issued the sentence on Wednesday, noted that the court had taken into consideration that the accused pleaded guilty to manslaughter and the fact that his family is ready to welcome him back home and so is his community.

“The action of the offender was to be brazen and cruel. It was only challenging that he took away the life of his own wife,” said Justice Otieno.

The Judge also said that there was no guarantee that no other person would push the victim into such hallucinations again.

I therefore sentence the accused to serve a prison term of six years, from January 22, 2021, when he was arrested and taken into custody. Upon termination of jail term, he shall serve probation for years under the county director of probation in Kakamega,” he said.

The prosecution told the court that Misichi was a first offender and equally saved the court’s time by plea bargaining.

“I leave it for the court’s directions and also ask the court to consider the probation report,” said Chala Kasyoka, the prosecutor.

In mitigation, advocate Paul Okali asked the court to grant his client a lenient sentence.

“My client is remorseful and deeply regrets his actions leading to the offence. He pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter and having read the pre-sentence report and the plea agreement on record, the accused didn’t predict the offence,” said Okali.

He also submitted that his client was a first offender and a breadwinner to his family.

“The family and community are ready to receive him back into society and I pray for a non-custodial sentence,” he added.

After killing his wife, he immediately contacted his elder brother, who arrived at their matrimonial home to discover the lifeless body of Mukaruki in the sitting room, a police report said.

His elder brother, David Lunalo, said no murder weapon was recovered from the scene. He said his brother went to the bedroom to sleep after the incident.

“My brother said he had killed his wife by instructions of demons,” reads a report by his brother.

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