A 31-year-old Kisumu man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison after he was convicted of murdering his aunt following a domestic disagreement.
Justice Joe M. Omido of the Kisumu High Court found Kevin Omondi Nyapietho guilty of killing Gaudencia Otieno Aoko on February 21, 2023, at Kapuonja Sub-location in Kisumu West Sub-County.
The case was prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), with prosecution counsel Mercy Mutheu Muema leading the evidence against Nyapietho.
The prosecution called six witnesses, including a pathologist who told the court that Aoko died from a severe head injury caused by multiple lacerative wounds.
How the murder happened
According to evidence presented in court, Nyapietho had been having supper with his aunt and two cousins on the night of the incident when he allegedly scolded them, accusing them of planning to poison him.
He subsequently left the house and locked it from outside, leaving Aoko and the two children inside.
The prosecution told the court that Nyapietho later returned and broke open the door, which had also been locked from inside by one of his secondary school-going cousins.
He then attacked Aoko using a jembe, striking her on the shoulder and head with its sharp side.
The injuries inflicted during the attack proved fatal.
Aunt had taken him in after parents died
The court heard that Aoko had taken on a parental role in Nyapietho’s life after the death of his parents, effectively raising him.
The DPP’s office said the prosecution presented evidence to establish all the elements required to prove the murder charge.
Justice Omido found that Nyapietho was responsible for the unlawful assault that caused Aoko’s death and ruled that the prosecution had proved the murder case beyond reasonable doubt.
He was subsequently convicted of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code and sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Nyapietho was informed of his right to appeal against both the conviction and sentence within 14 days.
