In a significant ruling at the Bungoma Law Courts, Principal Magistrate Hon. Tom Orlando has sentenced six men to 15 years in prison for the violent robbery and murder of Michael Gacheche, also known as Cheche.
The convicted men, including two Ugandans -Milton Makuma, John Wakwale, Brian Ochieng, Dennis Andoli, Emmanuel Watiti, and Patrick Omia—were involved in a deadly robbery outside Keringet Hotel in Bungoma town on June 8, 2020.
According to the court’s findings, the six accused, along with an accomplice who is still at large, orchestrated a violent robbery that resulted in the death of Gacheche.
The court heard that on the night of the crime, the accused approached Gacheche while he was seated in his car, shot him dead, and stole Ksh 2,005,000.
The group then fled the scene on a motorcycle, which was on standby for a quick getaway.
Law enforcement officers quickly launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of all seven suspects initially.
However, in a turn of events, two suspects managed to escape while in police custody at the Bungoma Police Station.
Dennis Andoli was rearrested soon after while attempting to cross the Kenya-Uganda border, while John Wanyonyi Wamalwa remains at large.
During the trial, the prosecution, led by Ayekha Shakwila, presented testimonies from 18 witnesses, including bystanders and law enforcement officials, which provided detailed accounts of the robbery.
The testimonies were crucial in establishing the involvement of the accused in the crime and demonstrating their collective intent to commit robbery with violence.
In his ruling, Magistrate Orlando stated that the prosecution had successfully proven the case beyond reasonable doubt.
He highlighted the seriousness of the crime, noting that robbery with violence carries a severe penalty due to its violent nature and the loss of life involved. As a result, each of the six accused was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.
The sentencing has been met with a mix of relief and concern from the community and legal experts.
Many have expressed satisfaction that justice was served for the family of Michael Gacheche, who lost his life in the violent robbery.
“This sentence sends a strong message that crime, especially violent crime, will not go unpunished in our community,” said a resident of Bungoma town.
However, the fact that one of the suspects, John Wanyonyi Wamalwa, remains at large has raised concerns about security and the ability of law enforcement to keep criminals in custody.
The escape of two suspects from police custody and the subsequent rearrest of Dennis Andoli highlight ongoing challenges in the handling of high-risk detainees.
The police have assured the public that efforts are ongoing to re-arrest Wanyonyi and bring him to justice.
The case has highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement in handling high-profile suspects and ensuring they remain in custody.
Local police have reassured the public that they are committed to rearresting the remaining fugitive and preventing similar incidents in the future.
