This archive report was first published on 5 December 2019.
On November 6, 2010, a tragic event unfolded in Siakago, Mbeere North, Embu County, resulting in the loss of 10 lives. The perpetrator, Constable Peter Karanja, a 46-year-old Administration Police officer, has finally faced justice.
Embu High Court judge Florence Muchemi delivered the verdict, sentencing Karanja to 20 years in prison after a 10-year trial that saw 20 witnesses testify against him.
The charges against Karanja were severe, with 10 counts of murder, including the deaths of Anthony Mwaniki, Frida Ng'endo, Kenwin Muthomi, Agostino Kinyua, George Ng'ang'a, Domisiano Muchira, Ephantus Munyi, Rachel Muthoni, and two AP officers, Wilfred Gitonga and Fredrick Okwako.
According to the court, Karanja had been on night duty at the District Commissioner's residence when he decided to search for his alleged estranged girlfriend. He walked a kilometre to the shopping centre, stormed several bars, and began a shooting spree, killing anyone in his path before running out of bullets and surrendering to officers.
The court sentenced Karanja to 20 years in jail for each of the 10 counts, but the sentences will run concurrently.
Karanja has 14 days to appeal the sentence.
