41-year-old Jackson Kandie has pleaded guilty to killing a villager, Japheth Kiprop, whom he accused of committing murder in 2018.
Appearing before Kabarnet Law Courts, Kandie pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge for the killing that happened at his home in Kaplel, Sacho on May 25 at around 6 pm after a drinking spree.
Appearing before Lady Justice Rachel Ngetich, Kandie agreed to the charge of manslaughter under section 202 and as read with section 205 of the penal code.
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“The accused person admits that he is guilty to one count of offence of manslaughter as provided under section 202 as read with section 205 which attracts a term of life imprisonment of the penal code and that he understands every element of the charge including the penalties provided by law,” read part of the plea statement.
Prosecution counsel led by Joseck Abwajo told the court that on the fateful day, Samson Kiptui and Saulo Konga were taking illicit brew at Kandie's homestead. Abwajo says after a few minutes the deceased also arrived and continued drinking with the friends.
However, Kandie ordered the deceased to get out of his homestead accusing him of having killed someone in the village in 2018, words that the deceased did not take lightly.
A bitter exchange ensued between the duo which escalated into a physical confrontation. In the process, Kandie grabbed a piece of wood and hit him on the forehead.
Kandie later ordered the two friends to leave his homestead, having witnessed the ordeal.
A neighbour to the accused, Alfred Suwai, called the assistant chief after witnessing the ordeal. The assistant chief informed the police who visited the crime scene and took the body to Baringo County Morgue for a postmortem.
A postmortem performed by Pathologist Dr Wangari Wambugu, after the body was identified by two family members, revealed that the cause of death was internal haemorrhage secondary to a severe hitting.
“He is a first-time offender, there is no prior criminal record of the accused,” Abwajo told the court.
This will come up for a presentence statement on July 5, 2023.
