A man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison, for the murder of a 15-year-old girl, who rejected his sexual advances.

At Naivasha Law Courts, Justice Grace Nzioki convicted Fredrick Mwonjoria for this crime committed six years ago, while still a student at Nanyuki High school, aged 17 years.

Prosecution, led by counsel Shirley Chepkonga, presented twelve witnesses who confirmed that the deceased and accused were neighbours, where the deceased often sought academic assistance.

On the material day, she went to his home for help with school assignments but never returned, prompting her parents to search for her in vain. The next day, her body was discovered along a road, and the father later identified her remains.

A prosecution witness testified that the accused eventually confirmed to the murder, stating that he had invited the girl to his house for revision and made a pass at her. When she declined, a struggle followed.

The deceased overpowered him and attempted to escape, but he stabbed her in the back. As she bled on the sofa, he panicked and moved her to the bedroom, where she remained in pain. Upon realizing she was unconscious, he stabbed her further in the face, chest, and back.

The accused’s advocate begged the court to treat him as a child and sentence him in accordance with the Children Act 2022.

However, Prosecution fiercely contested the plea, claiming the convicted person was no longer a minor, hence ineligible. They urged the court to impose a retributive and deterrent sentence due to the aggravating circumstances.

Pursuant to legal provisions and judicial precedents, the prosecution successfully proved the elements of murder beyond reasonable doubt, including the occurrence of death, the act of the accused, and malice aforethought.