MURANG’A, Kenya – After setting his matrimonial home on fire, Robert Karuinge Mwangi was sentenced to ten years imprisonment but appeal court overturned it to five years.
Judge Kanyi Kimondo sitting at Murang’a High court ruled that the offense of arson carries a sentence of up to life but he considered that Karuinge was the husband to complainant Rahab Njeri and the three-roomed semi-permanent house was their home.
“Karuinge was drunk and he has no previous records, I think the sentence of 10 years was too harsh in the circumstances, I sentence him to a five-year imprisonment which will take effect from July 18,2016, the date of original conviction,” ruled Kimondo.
Karuingi had told the criminal appeal in mitigation that he was also a victim of the fire because he lost his property.
Victim Impact Statement was tabled before the appeal.
The convict is said to have committed the offense on March 23, 2016 at Gitathi village, Kangema Sub-county Murang’a County.
He appealed against the sentence of 10 years.
Karuingi said he is a first offender and he lost property in the blaze. He pleaded for leniency.
Learned Prosecution Counsel had opposed the appeal and submitted that the sentence handed down was lenient.
SOURCE: Standard Digital
