Six convicts found guilty of violent robberies linked to the 2015 killing of former Kabete MP George Muchai have appealed for leniency, telling a Nairobi court they have reformed during the more than 10 years they have spent in custody.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina, the convicts made mitigation pleas ahead of sentencing, citing good conduct records and rehabilitation efforts undertaken while in prison.
One of the convicts, Stephen Asitiva, told the court he had undergone significant personal transformation during his time in custody.
“I have reformed during my time in prison and maintained discipline throughout,” he said, adding that prison authorities had issued a report confirming his good behaviour and urging the court to treat him as a first offender.
Asitiva further appealed to the court to consider the period already served when determining the sentence.
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“The years I have spent in custody have helped reform me, and I hope to use my experience to positively influence others if given a second chance,” he said.
The six were convicted of robbery with violence, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and other related offences tied to a series of robberies carried out on the nights of February 6 and 7, 2015.
The court heard that property worth approximately Ksh1.1 million was stolen from several victims during the attacks.
According to the judgement, Erick Munyera, Raphael Kimani, Mustafa Kimani and Asitiva were involved in three separate robbery with violence incidents, while Jane Wanjiru and Margaret Njeri were convicted of related offences connected to the crimes.
During mitigation, defence lawyers told the court that some of the convicts had undertaken rehabilitation programmes while in prison, including theological and paralegal studies, as part of efforts to prepare for reintegration into society.
They also urged the court to consider the family circumstances of the two female convicts, noting that they are mothers of young children.
“We urge the court to consider their roles as parents and allow them time with their families,” the defence submitted.
Lawyer Danstan Omari, who is part of the defence team, asked the court to grant them two days to respond to submissions filed by the DPP before sentencing.
The case will be mentioned on March 30 for further directions ahead of sentencing.
