Plea bargain deal yields 30-year sentence for Murang’a man who killed father


Three detained over Sh10 million theft from Safaricom Sacco bank account

The High Court in Murang’a sentenced a man to 30 years in prison after he was convicted of killing his father in a brutal attack that shocked Muchungucha village in Kiharu Constituency.

Lady Justice Cecilia Githua delivered the sentence against Michael Muchiri Mwangi, who admitted to killing his father, James Mwangi Mburu, on September 10, 2020.

The conviction followed a plea bargain agreement brokered between the accused and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Court heard that the incident began when the accused’s mother, who was preparing supper at around 7:30 p.m., heard a loud bang outside their home. On rushing out, she found a fire blazing in their banana plantation.

As she approached, she saw her son standing near the flames but received no response when she questioned him. To her horror, she discovered that the fire was consuming her husband, who lay on the ground.

Investigations by police later revealed that Muchiri had struck his father on the head before dousing him with petrol and setting him ablaze.

The victim suffered burns covering more than 60 percent of his body.

The DPP, represented in court by Principal Prosecution Counsel Caroline Muriu, guided the case through a plea bargain arrangement in which the initial murder charge was reduced to manslaughter.

Prosecution emphasized the brutality of the crime and urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence that would send a strong message against such offences.

Justice Githua concurred with the Prosecution’s submissions, noting the particularly heinous nature of the act. She sentenced Muchiri to 30 years in prison, underscoring the court’s commitment to ensuring justice while acknowledging the DPP’s role in securing accountability through the plea bargain process.

Elsewhere, a Kisii court  issued summons against an NCBA Bank employee accused of stealing more than Sh52 million from the financial institution.

Philip Rotich Kiprono, an operations manager at NCBA’s Kisii branch, is set to face 134 criminal charges after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) approved his prosecution.

According to the charge sheet, Kiprono allegedly siphoned Sh52,404,084.95 from the bank on diverse dates between December 13, 2022, and October 10, 2024, while serving in his managerial capacity at the Kisii branch.

He will be charged with multiple offences including theft by servant, acquisition of proceeds of crime, possession and use of proceeds of crime, as well as forgery and uttering false documents.

The offences are said to contravene provisions of the Penal Code and the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2009.

Senior Principal Magistrate Benard Obae Omwansa directed the suspect to appear in court on October 2 for plea-taking after he failed to attend a scheduled session.

Prosecution, led by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (SADPP) Solomon Njeru, successfully applied for the issuance of summons to compel Kiprono’s attendance.

If convicted, the bank manager faces heavy penalties, including possible jail terms and recovery proceedings.