Court Hands Death Sentence to Four Over George Muchai Murder in Landmark Ruling
A Kenyan court has handed down the death sentence to four men convicted in connection with the high-profile murder of former Kabete MP George Muchai, bringing a decade-long case to a dramatic conclusion.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday, April 9, followed a successful prosecution by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which secured convictions on three counts of robbery with violence.
Brutal killings that shocked the nation
The four convicts—Erick Munyera, Raphael Kimani, Mustafa Kimani, and Stephen Asitiva—were found guilty over their role in the 2015 attack that led to the deaths of Muchai, his two bodyguards, and his driver.
The killings, which occurred on the nights of February 6 and 7, 2015, sent shockwaves across Kenya at the time, raising serious concerns over security and politically linked violence.
In court, prosecutors laid out a chilling account of how the gang executed a series of coordinated and violent robberies while armed with high-powered weapons.
“The prosecution proved that on the nights of 6th and 7th February 2015, the four accused persons violently robbed multiple victims while armed with a G3 rifle and pistols and threatened to use violence,” the ODPP said in a statement.
Millions stolen in violent spree
The court heard that the suspects targeted several victims—including Michael Ngatia, Gladys Waithera, and Irene Muthoni—stealing property worth approximately Ksh1.1 million.
Among the stolen items were two motor vehicles, a gas cylinder, four mobile phones, a laptop, and cash.
“During the robbery incidents, the accused persons made away with property of significant value,” prosecutors added.
The ODPP credited the conviction to a robust case built on testimony from 36 witnesses, whose evidence directly linked the suspects to the crimes.
Additional sentences handed down
In the same case, two other individuals—Jane Wanjiru and Margaret Njeri—were sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition without valid certification.
The court’s ruling marks a significant moment in one of Kenya’s most closely followed criminal cases, with authorities emphasizing the importance of justice for victims of violent crime.
Similar ruling in separate brutal attack
The sentencing comes months after another court in Kithimani issued a death penalty in a separate case involving a violent robbery targeting an elderly woman.
According to the ODPP, Josephat Mutuku Kasyema was found guilty of attacking 80-year-old Agnes Njeri Kilonzo, the mother of former Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo.
“A Kithimani court has sentenced a man to death for attacking and stealing from the mother of former Member of Parliament Charles Kilonzo,” the ODPP confirmed.
The court heard that the attacker robbed the victim of her phone and cash before inflicting severe injuries.
“The accused cut her on the head using a panga, tied her up, and left her for dead inside her home,” the prosecution revealed.
The assault had devastating consequences, leaving the elderly victim with permanent injuries, including the loss of speech.
“The attack was so vicious and heartless that it led the victim to lose the power of speech,” the ODPP added.
Justice delivered after years of waiting
The back-to-back rulings underscore the judiciary’s tough stance on violent crime, particularly cases involving vulnerable victims and high-profile figures.
For families affected by the Muchai killings, Thursday’s verdict represents a long-awaited step toward justice—closing a painful chapter that has lingered for nearly a decade.
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Court Hands Death Sentence to Four Over George Muchai Murder in Landmark Ruling