Man who stabbed magistrate jailed for 11 years

A man who stabbed a Nakuru magistrate has been sentenced to 11 years in jail.

Michael Kuhora Njeri was also fined an alternative Ksh.700,000 on three counts of attempted murder and two counts of causing grievous injury.

“You are not a first offender and in my observation you were very remorseful. However, the circumstances you committed the offence are inexcusable,” Chief Magistrate Josephat Burudi ruled.

Kuhora had been convicted for the attempted murder of Ms. Edith Adhiambo Obondo on November 22, 2016.

The court found him found guilty of the offence after witnesses said he stabbed her several times on the neck and left thigh using a screw driver.

However, Kuhora, seemingly enraged by the court’s ruling, stabbed Nakuru Resident Magistrate Eunice Kelly on her right upper arm. He also assaulted a police officer at the court.

In her testimony, the resident magistrate narrated how Kuhora went amock in her courtroom.

“Once I delivered my ruling, he ran towards the complainant Edith Adhiambo with a screw driver and started stabling her in the neck several times.

“She ran towards me for safety but the accused followed her and continued stabbing her,” the magistrate said.

Kelly added that she tried to shield Adhiambo by putting her right hand on her neck but Kuhora kept on going at it until Adhiambo collapsed.

He then pounced on her and stabbed her eight more times on the right arm and shoulder.

The tiny courtroom, which has two benches at the center, enabled Kuhora to easily access the magistrate.

On Friday, Kuhora told the Nakuru court that he had acted out of anger and was sorry for the incident.

He was however sentenced to six years or Ksh.200,000 for attempting to kill the magistrate and Ms. Edith Adhiambo as well as another  five years or Ksh.500, 000 for assaulting a police officer.