This archive report was first published on 5 December 2019.
On November 11, 2010, a tragic incident occurred in Siakago market, Embu County, when Peter Karanja, a former police officer, went on a shooting spree, killing 10 people.
According to the court, Karanja was on night duty at the Mbeere North District Commissioner's residence when he received information that his girlfriend was allegedly cheating on him.
He excused himself to go to the toilet but instead walked down to Siakago market, stormed into several bars looking for his girlfriend, and rained bullets on patrons when he failed to find her.
Embu Resident Judge Florence Muchemi handed Karanja 20 years for each of the ten counts of murder he was facing, with the sentences running concurrently.
“The prosecution witnesses proved beyond any reasonable doubt that he committed the offenses. They proved a prima-facie case against him thus finding him guilty,” said Muchemi while passing the judgement.
Despite his lawyer's plea for a non-custodial sentence, citing Karanja's remorse and terminal illness, the judge declined, stating that the offense was too serious.
On December 5, 2019, The Standard reported on the incident, highlighting the severity of Karanja's actions and the impact on the victims' families.
