Man Jailed for 25 Years for Murder

A 44-year-old man has been jailed for 25 years after being found guilty of murdering his neighbour over allegations that he was having an affair with his wife.

According to a statement by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on X, formerly Twitter, Salim Hukicho was convicted of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code after the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The case was heard and determined by Justice Jesse Nyaga.

"Justice Jesse Nyaga convicted Salim Hukicho of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code after the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt," the ODPP said.

According to the statement, the prosecution told the court that on the evening of September 4, 2022, in Tarasaa Township, Hukicho ambushed and attacked Hasan Rona at his house without provocation before stabbing him in the abdomen.

The attack was so severe that the victim's intestines could be seen through the wound. The injuries proved fatal, leading to Hasan Rona's death.

Following the incident, members of the public swiftly intervened and apprehended the accused before taking him to Tarasaa Police Station. The victim was rushed to Malindi Sub-County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

During the proceedings, the prosecution presented medical evidence confirming that the victim succumbed to injuries sustained during the attack.

"Medical evidence presented by the prosecution confirmed that the victim succumbed to injuries inflicted during the vicious attack," read part of the ODPP statement.

Principal Prosecution Counsel Agather Mkongo urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence, arguing that the extreme violence of the attack called for a stiff punishment. She told the court that such a sentence was necessary to protect members of the public from violent offenders and to discourage similar crimes.

According to investigations, the assault was motivated by the accused's false belief that the deceased was involved in an affair with his wife. However, evidence presented before the court established that the woman in question was the deceased's former girlfriend.

Justice Nyaga found that the prosecution had proved every element of the offence through credible witness testimony and medical evidence. The court consequently convicted Hukicho and sentenced him to 25 years' imprisonment.

The convict has 14 days to appeal the ruling.