Amnesty International Kenya have termed Justice Lesiit’s sentence on Ruth Kamande as retrogressive, Irungu Houghton, the Chief Executive Officer said that the death sentence that the 24 year old was given was cruel.
“We are concerned that Kenya continues to use this cruel, inhumane and outdated mode of punishment. This sentence is a blow to Kenya’s progressive record in commuting death sentences to terms of imprisonment,” the statement sent to newsrooms read in part.
The lobby group has now asked the courts to change the sentence from death to life imprisonment to allow for rehabilitation as opposed to punishment.
While sentencing, the lady justice said that Ruth Kamande killed her boyfriend deliberately and that she showed no remorse. She said the sentence would serve as a lesson to the youth and let them know that it is wrong to kill your boyfriend or girlfriend over relationships frustrations.
“I want young people to know that it is not cool to kill your boyfriend or girlfriend even where you feel disappointed or frustrated – don’t do it. Instead, it is cool to walk away and thereafter to forgive,” Justice Lesiit stated.
The sentence was lauded by the deceased’s family that claimed that Kamande was controlling the late Farid Mohamed and it was sad that his life had to be cut short.
A death sentence is usually equated to a life sentence as the last person to be executed was executed after the 1982 coup.
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