Bomet man sentenced to 40 years in jail for killing wife in 2020

A 55-year-old man will spend the next 40 years in prison after he was found guilty of killing his wife five years ago in Konoin, Bomet County.

Delivering the sentence, Bomet High Court Judge Justice Julius Ng’arng’ar agreed with the prosecution that Robert Kipkorir Tonui had meticulously planned and executed the cold-blooded murder of his wife, Emmy Chepkoech Mitei, by dousing her with petrol and setting her ablaze.

In his judgment, Justice Julius Ng’arng’ar dismissed the accused person’s assertions that he had no motive to kill the former deputy headteacher and that the prosecution had failed to prove its case against him.

The court ruled that the accused must have known that setting the deceased on fire would cause fatal injuries and that the act of dousing her with petrol and striking a matchstick left no doubt as to his intention.

The deceased's family hailed the ruling, saying it was justice finally served after the tragic incident on the night of October 7, 2020.

“I think that was fair. As much as we felt so much pain and we are traumatised by the circumstances surrounding our mum’s death, I think the ruling was fair enough," Emmy’s daughter Anita Chelangat said.

Emmy’s sister Naomi Mitei added: “It’s been a tough period. Five years. It’s been long, draining both emotionally and financially, especially for the kids. And we really thank God because today, I think this has been the end of our coming and going back.”

According to Justice Ng’arng’ar, the prosecution had proven beyond a reasonable doubt the charge of murder against Tonui, finding him guilty of the offence contrary to Section 203 of the Penal Code.

For Emmy’s family, the judgment brought to an end a journey of torment as they faced their father in court for five years in search of justice for their mother.

“We have been coming for the last five years to the court; at times the court bounces, but today we thank God because the ruling has been passed," Naomi noted.