The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has secured a 35-year prison sentence for Moses Njagi Wachira following the murder of John Maina Gathogo in Nanyuki.
The conviction was handed down before Justice A.K. Ndungu, following a robust prosecution led by Counsel Lucas Tanui, Jackson Motende, and Esther Kimani.
According to the ODPP, the court heard that on October 18, 2017, the deceased was drinking at Gitinga Bar when a disagreement arose after he accidentally spilled Wachira’s beer.
Evidence showed that Gathogo, who was intoxicated, knocked down a table and poured the accused’s drink, triggering a confrontation. Although the bar owner intervened and temporarily calmed the situation, the accused later assaulted the deceased, escalating the incident.
Shortly thereafter, the victim was discovered near the bar with severe burn injuries and rushed to the hospital. Before his death, he informed his brother that he had disagreed with the accused, who assaulted him, after which he ended up in hospital.
Medical evidence, including a postmortem report, confirmed that the cause of death was multiple burn injuries, cementing the prosecution’s case.
Upon evaluating the totality of the evidence presented, the court found that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the conviction and sentencing.
“This judgment reflects the seriousness with which the law treats violent acts leading to loss of life,” the prosecution team stated, highlighting the meticulous approach taken in presenting witness testimonies and forensic evidence.
The DPP’s office emphasized that the ruling serves as a reminder that criminal acts, even those stemming from seemingly minor disputes, will be met with the full force of the law.
“The court’s decision demonstrates our commitment to ensuring justice for victims and upholding public confidence in the legal system,” a statement from the office read.
Wachira will serve 35 years in prison, marking a significant outcome in one of Nanyuki’s high-profile criminal cases in recent years.
