A Kenyan High Court has sentenced a farmhand to 40 years in prison for the brutal murder of his elderly employer, bringing closure to a case that shocked residents of Uasin Gishu County.
The High Court of Kenya sitting in Eldoret handed down the sentence to 36-year-old Silas Sang for the killing of 72-year-old farmer Hellen Biwott.
Delivering the verdict, Justice Reuben Nyakundi ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, describing the crime as heinous and deserving of a severe penalty.
Brutal Killing in Broad Daylight
The court heard that Sang murdered Biwott on the morning of April 22, 2022, at her home in the Kabenes area of Moiben Sub-County in Uasin Gishu. The victim was a respected small-scale dairy and maize farmer.
According to prosecutors, Sang violently attacked Biwott inside her house, smashing her head against a wall before fatally stabbing her in the neck.
The judge noted the senseless brutality of the crime, stating that the elderly farmer died on the spot.
Dramatic Escape and Arrest
Following the killing, Sang fled the scene and boarded a matatu to Eldoret town before transferring to another vehicle. He later alighted at Matete Shopping Centre in Kakamega County in an apparent attempt to evade capture.
However, detectives launched an intensive manhunt and arrested him seven days later in Uasin Gishu County.
The prosecution presented compelling evidence that ultimately led to his conviction for murder.
Plea for Leniency and Claims of a “Family Curse”
During mitigation, Sang pleaded for mercy, expressing remorse and attributing his actions to what he described as a long-standing family curse.
“I really regret this issue. We have a history of curses in our family where my father killed a child in Narok County and died in prison,” he told the court.
He further claimed that another relative had also died behind bars for murder, suggesting that the same fate had befallen him.
Despite his plea, the court dismissed the argument, emphasizing the gravity of the offence.
Judge’s Stern Warning
In his ruling, Justice Nyakundi underscored the seriousness of the crime, stating that a harsh sentence was warranted.
“I would have sentenced you to life imprisonment, but I now sentence you to 40 years in prison,” the judge declared.
He added that the deceased would still be alive were it not for Sang’s actions, highlighting the irreversible loss suffered by her family and community.
The judgment serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of violent crime and reinforces the judiciary’s commitment to justice.