Ruth Kamande, the Lang’ata Women’s Prison inmate who was found guilty of killing her boyfriend in 2015, has been sentenced to death by the High Court.
In her ruling at the Milimani law court Thursday, Justice Jessie Lesiit observed that the 24-year-old deliberately stabbed Farid Mohammed 25 times. The Judge held that Kamande acted in malice and showed no remorse for her actions in the course of the trial.
“I want young people to know that it is not cool to kill your boyfriend or girlfriend instead it is cool to walk away from a relationship when it breaks down,” said the judge.
Justice Lesiit dismissed claims that Kamande acted in self defence saying the stab wounds were not consistent with her allegations that her former boyfriend had pinned her down as they fought.
The judge observed that the wounds were inflicted at intervals and not by a person in a lying position.
Begging for leniency, Kamande’s lawyer, Joyner Okonjo, enumerated some of her achievements including, acquiring of five certificates, participating in modelling, dancing, poetry, and scriptwriting.
But State Counsel Evelyn Wanunga said Ms Kamande is not penitent, and should, therefore, be handed the death sentence so that it can be a deterrence.
The judge handed the 2016 Miss Lang’ata Prison beauty queen the death sentence despite the capital punishment having been lifted by a superior court saying her court was free to exercise discretion further stating that the death penalty was still enshrined in statutes.
Despite the lack of executions, death sentences are still passed in Kenya. No executions have been carried out in Kenya since 1987, when Hezekiah Ochuka and Pancras Oteyo Okumu were hanged for treason.
Kamande’s death sentence will most likely be commuted to life imprisonment.
Speaking to reporters after the sentencing, the victim’s aunt, Emma Wanjiku said the family was glad justice had finally been served.
“We want to confirm to Kenyans that there is justice in our courts. After three years of waiting, our prayers have been answered. We finally have justice for Farid,” said Emma Wanjiku.
