This archive report was first published on 9 May 2020.
On October 15, 2016, a tragic event unfolded in Nyakinya village, Njoro Sub-county, within Nakuru, Kenya. Three brothers, Joseph Simiyu, Emmanuel Nyongesa, and Joseph Wanyonyi, were found guilty of murdering a 74-year-old man, Francis Njuguna.
Justice Janet Mulwa delivered the verdict through a video-link, stating that the prosecution had proved beyond doubt that the brothers were responsible for Njuguna's murder. The conviction was based on statements from seven witnesses, including Njuguna's son, Samuel Gakuna, who testified that the brothers had attacked him and his father, claiming they had stolen a television set.
Gakuna recounted the events of that fateful day, stating that the brothers had beaten him and his father, with Simiyu hitting Njuguna on the head with a stick. The two other brothers continued to beat Njuguna, leading to his eventual death at the crime scene.
The brothers had initially defended themselves, claiming they never attacked Njuguna or his son and that they did not know the two. However, Justice Mulwa dismissed their defence, terming their statements as fabrications.
The court has set a date for mitigation and sentencing, which will be taken at the registry.
