Wamuzi News Ke
A court in Kithimani, Machakos County, has sentenced a man to death after finding him guilty of a violent robbery and brutal assault on the elderly mother of former Yatta Member of Parliament, Charles Kilonzo.
The shocking verdict was delivered on Thursday, November 13, 2025, sending ripples through the local community and reigniting debate over the use of the death penalty in Kenya.According to evidence presented in court, the horrifying incident occurred on December 8, 2023, at the victim’s home in Ndarani, Yatta Sub-County.
The accused reportedly broke into the house in the dead of night, tied the elderly woman with ropes, and viciously attacked her using a machete before stealing her mobile phone and an undisclosed amount of cash.
The victim was left with deep head injuries and later lost her ability to speak due to the trauma sustained in the attack. The court heard that she was discovered by neighbors hours later, bound and bleeding, before being rushed to hospital.
In delivering the ruling, the presiding judge described the assault as “vicious, cruel, and inhuman,” noting that the accused showed no remorse throughout the trial. The judge emphasized that the victim, an elderly woman living alone, was defenseless and undeserving of such brutality.
The court declared that the punishment must reflect the gravity of the offense and serve as a deterrent to others.The accused was convicted under Section 296(2) of the Penal Code, which prescribes the death penalty for robbery with violence.
Although executions are rarely carried out in Kenya, the court maintained that the nature of the attack justified the maximum sentence allowed by law.The case has sparked mixed reactions among residents and legal observers.
Many locals in Yatta have praised the verdict, describing it as justice long overdue, while others have questioned the practicality of enforcing a death sentence in a country that has maintained a de facto moratorium on executions for decades.
Community leaders have condemned the attack as an act of cowardice and called on security agencies to intensify efforts to protect the elderly and other vulnerable citizens from violent criminals. They also urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement to prevent similar incidents.
The sentencing marks one of the most severe punishments issued in recent years for robbery with violence in the region. It also revives a national conversation about the state of rural security and the protection of senior citizens, many of whom live alone and face growing threats from armed criminals.
As the condemned man prepares for possible appeal, the community of Yatta continues to grapple with the emotional aftermath of the attack — a crime that not only left one family devastated but also served as a grim reminder of the rising cases of violent robberies targeting the elderly.
