Six individuals implicated in the murder of former Juja MP George Thuo have been handed down a 15-year prison sentence each by Justice Roselyn Korir.
The sentencing, which took place today at the Thika High Court, marks the conclusion of a long-running legal saga that began with Thuo’s tragic death in 2013.
In her ruling, Justice Korir emphasized that the sentence would be calculated from April 19 of this year, the date on which the convicts were found guilty. The court considered various factors, including victim impact statements, mitigating circumstances presented by the defendants, and a pre-sentencing report recommending a shorter sentence.
“The positive attributes highlighted in the probation report and the defendants’ expressions of remorse contributed to the reduction in severity of the sentence,” Justice Korir stated during sentencing.
She acknowledged efforts by some of the convicts, like Paul Wainaina Boiyo and Christopher Lumbasio Andika, to reconcile with Thuo’s family as a positive step.
The judge reiterated the court’s assessment of the forensic evidence, which confirmed Thuo’s cause of death as poisoning by Cyhalothrine pesticide. This conclusion was based on toxicology reports indicating the presence of the poison in Thuo’s liver, kidney, and clothing from the night of his death at Porkies Club.
During the trial, the prosecution successfully argued that the poisoning led directly to Thuo’s death, dismissing defense claims of underlying health conditions or excessive alcohol consumption. The defendants’ assertion was countered by expert testimony and forensic evidence presented by the prosecution.
Thuo’s wife, present during the sentencing, addressed the court, describing her husband’s death as a profound loss for their family. She urged the court to deliver justice, underscoring the irreparable harm caused by his murder.
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