A court in Nairobi has convicted six accused persons in a robbery with violence case connected to the 2015 killing of former George Muchai, bringing a major development in a case that has been before the courts for years.
Delivering the judgment at the Milimani Law Courts, trial magistrate Lukas Onyina ruled that the prosecution had proved its case against several of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.
The court found the first, second, third and fourth accused persons guilty on multiple counts of robbery with violence after reviewing witness testimonies and other evidence presented during the lengthy trial.
Court Finds Evidence Linked Accused to Robbery Incidents
In his ruling, Magistrate Onyina stated that the prosecution successfully demonstrated that several of the accused persons were involved in a series of violent robberies, including the attack in which Muchai lost his life.
According to the court, testimonies from victims and other witnesses consistently indicated that the robberies were carried out by four armed men who targeted victims in coordinated attacks.
The magistrate noted that witnesses had no prior relationship with the suspects but were able to describe the attackers and the manner in which the robberies were executed.
The court particularly pointed out that the first accused person had been identified by witnesses as the individual carrying a large firearm during the robbery incidents.
RELATED NEWS:
- Rastafari Society Urges High Court to Legalise Marijuana for Religious Use
- High Court Declines to Halt Auction of Raphael Tuju’s Prime Karen Properties
- High Court Orders Moi High School Kabarak to Readmit Form Four Student Suspended Over Vape
“The victims’ evidence across the various robbery incidents was consistent regarding the number of attackers and the manner in which the robberies were conducted,” the magistrate said in the judgment.
Multiple Convictions on Additional Robbery Counts
Besides the attack connected to the death of Muchai, the court also convicted several of the accused persons on additional counts relating to other robbery incidents tied to the case.
The magistrate stated that the prosecution had provided sufficient corroborating evidence that linked the accused persons to the broader pattern of violent robberies.
He emphasised that although identification evidence formed part of the case, the court also considered other supporting evidence presented during the trial.
“The prosecution evidence was consistent and placed several of the accused persons at the centre of the robberies,” the court ruled.
One Accused Acquitted
However, the court acquitted one of the accused persons after finding that the evidence presented by the prosecution did not sufficiently place him at the scene of the crimes.
Magistrate Onyina ruled that the seventh accused person had effectively exonerated himself through his testimony and that witnesses had not linked him to the robbery incidents.
RELATED NEWS:
- Rastafari Society Urges High Court to Legalise Marijuana for Religious Use
- High Court Declines to Halt Auction of Raphael Tuju’s Prime Karen Properties
The court also observed that witnesses had consistently stated that the attackers involved in the robberies were four men and that none reported seeing a woman among the suspects.
As a result, the magistrate ordered that the seventh accused person be released immediately unless otherwise lawfully held.
Background of the 2015 Attack
The case stems from a deadly attack in Nairobi in February 2015 in which Muchai, who was then serving as the Kabete Member of Parliament, was fatally shot.
Muchai was killed alongside members of his security team during the incident, which investigators linked to a violent robbery.
The killing shocked the country at the time, given Muchai’s prominence in politics and public life.
Before entering Parliament, Muchai had served as a trade union leader and was widely known for his involvement in labour movement politics.
His death triggered widespread public outrage and led to intensified investigations by security agencies as authorities sought to identify those responsible for the attack.
Long Legal Battle
The trial that followed stretched over several years, with prosecutors presenting testimony from victims, witnesses and investigators in an effort to establish the involvement of the accused persons.
Throughout the proceedings, the court examined evidence related to multiple robbery incidents believed to have been carried out by the same group of attackers.
Magistrate Onyina noted that the consistency of witness testimony played a significant role in establishing the prosecution’s case.
Sentencing to Follow
Following the convictions, the court indicated that sentencing for the convicted persons will be scheduled at a later date.
