BY SAM ALFAN.
Two robbers sentenced to death for violently robbing President Uhuru’s cousin Ngegi Muigai five years ago have reason to smile after a judge reduced their sentences to 15 years.
Justice Ngenye Macharia reviewed the sentences imposed on Brian Ayisi Mukumbero and Paul Bulinda Shisundi and directed them to serve 15 years in prison.
The two were found guilty of violently robbing Ngegi, an offence they committed at Kyuna Estate in Spring Valley in December 4, 2013. They had initially been sentenced to death before it was commuted to life imprisonment.
After hearing their appeal, Justice Machaia said, “Having weighed both the aggravating and mitigating circumstances, I exercise my discretion to set aside the death sentence imposed and substitute it with fifteen years imprisonment.”
The judge ordered also said the period of one year, eleven months and eighteen days, which the two served while in remand, shall be taken into account and constitutes part of the sentence.
The charges against the two was that on the night of December 4, 2013 at Kyuna Estate Spring Valley in Nairobi, jointly with others not before court, while armed with dangerous weapons namely pistols and AK 47 rifles they robbed Ngengi of a Nokia 76 mobile phone valued at Sh5000.
They also robbed him of his wedding ring, one belt and Sh8,000 in cash. In all, they robbed items and cash worth Sh20,000, while using violence.
They were also accused that jointly with others not before court, while armed with dangerous weapons robbed TM Ceaser Mathia Muigai a wrist watch make Nautica valued at Sh15,000 and cash 10,000. The court heard that they threatened to use or used violence Mungai.
They were further charged with violently stealing Sh330,000 from Christian Mwai Muigai.
