Two suspects involved in the murder of Kenneth Mwakombo Kamto, the first Deputy Governor of Kilifi County, have been sentenced.
Julius Gitonga was sentenced to 40 years in prison while Joseph Mukabana was slapped with a 30-year jail sentence after they were found guilty of robbery with violence and murder.
The incident occurred on December 12, 2018, in Nyali, Mombasa.
On that day, armed with a pistol and metal bars, the two men scaled the perimeter wall to gain entry into Kamto’s compound.
Once inside, they ransacked the house and stole three mobile phones and KSh9,000. Amid this chaos, Kamto was fatally shot before the robbers fled the scene.
The prosecution presented 24 witnesses to testify against the duo.
Shanzu Law Courts Senior Principal Magistrate Yusuf Abdallah Shikanda noted that 57-year-old Gitonga was convicted on five counts — three for robbery with violence and two for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. His co-accused, 50-year-old Amwayi, was convicted on three counts of robbery with violence.
In a sentencing delivered on Friday, March 7, Julius Gitonga M’muguu received a harsher sentence for the robbery charge since he was the one who shot and killed Kamto.
His sentence will run from January 30, 2019, when he was placed in remand custody. Joseph Amwayi Mukabana’s sentence will take effect from January 14, 2025.
In his ruling, the magistrate cited the Supreme Court ruling in Francis Karioko Muruatetu’s case, which declared the mandatory death sentence unconstitutional, allowing courts discretion in sentencing.
“No punishment can restore the life of the deceased. However, the court must send a clear message that crime does not pay. After considering all relevant factors, including the probation officer’s recommendation, I agree that a non-custodial sentence is not viable,” ruled Shikanda.
