A man has been handed a death sentence for allegedly attacking and stealing from the mother of former Yatta Member of Parliament Charles Kilonzo.
In the judgment announced on Thursday, November 13, the court in Kithimani sentenced the man to death after he was found guilty of robbery with violence.
The court heard that the accused robbed the victim of her mobile phone valued at Ksh15,000 and an unknown amount of cash and cut her on her head using a panga.
The accused person is said to have tied the victim with ropes and left her alone in the house before she was later rescued.
According to court records, the accused committed the offense on December 8, 2023, in the Ndarani area of Yatta Sub-County, Machakos.
In its judgment, the court observed that the attack was so vicious and heartless that it led to Kilonzo’s mother losing the power of speech.
Under Section 296(2) of the Penal Code (Cap. 63, Laws of Kenya), the minimum punishment for robbery with violence is a death sentence, but some offenses can attract life imprisonment or long-term sentences.
About Charles Kilonzo
Kilonzo first served as Yatta MP after being elected in the 2002 General Election. He was re-elected in 2007 on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket. In 2013, Francis Mwangangi (current Machakos Deputy Governor) succeeded him as Manyatta MP.
In 2017, Kilonzo returned to reclaim his seat, vying as an independent candidate, and managed to trounce Mwangangi. His victory was challenged in court, but the court upheld the win.
In the lead-up to the 2022 election, Kilonzo announced he would not defend his Yatta seat, instead announcing his intention to vie for the Machakos Senatorial position. This, however, did not come to fruition.
Since the 2022 elections, Kilonzo has maintained a low profile but was in the headlines in 2024 after it emerged that one of his properties was being put up for auction.
The auctioned property was a prime residential property within Northwood Villas, Miotoni Lane in Karen, Nairobi County. It lies about 500 meters due west of West Nairobi School.
According to the auctioneers, the property is a five-bedroomed ensuite townhouse with servants' quarters.
More details on the property are that it is held on a freehold title deed and is connected to key amenities such as water and electricity.
