A man who stabbed a woman activist in Isiolo has been handed a 30-year jail term after the High Court convicted him in August.
Patrick Naweet stabbed Elizabeth Ekaru to death on January 3, 2022, after a long-standing feud with her over land-related issues, a subject she was vocal about in her advocacy work.
Naweet, through his lawyer, had argued that he had attacked her after “they quarrelled over the land boundary, in self-defence and under extreme provocation of the terrible horror of being slapped by a woman, something that a Turkana could not countenance”.
The court took issue with this line of argument, finding that it had gender-based overtones.
In mitigation, Naweet asked to be forgiven as he was a family man and a first-time offender.
“I wish to say the court should forgive me as I have children who depend on me. I have learnt it was a mistake and I will not repeat the same. I pray for noncustodial sentence,” the pre-sentence report reads.
But the court said that having weighed all issues, the man deserved to spend 30 years in jail.
“Having convicted the accused for the offence of murder, the court now sentences the offender to imprisonment for a period of 30 years,” the sentence dated October 24 reads.
“The court considers that a sentence of imprisonment for 30 years which ensures that the accused is in prison custody for deterrence, reformation and community protection objectives for a period not less than 20 years, remission applied.”
Court said the killing of the woman was a huge setback for the society as she was a dependable leader in championing their rights and the sanction is justified.
“The deceased was a well-known and strong crusader for social rights and social development and women rights activist, and her senseless killing has deprived the community of an accomplished leader and mentor,” the court said.
“So much was the anger over the killing that the members of the community sought to lynch the accused who had to be rescued by the police. For the community’s protection from any possible retaliatory attacks from the accused, it is warranted to hold the offender in prison custody.”
Defenders Coalition, the lobby that has been pressing for holding the accused accountable, hailed the conviction and sentencing of Naweet, saying justice had been served for her children and her ailing parents.
“This is a significant moment for Elizabeth’s family, especially her children and ailing parents who looked up to the Judiciary for justice,” it said.
The lobby said Ekaru’s death not only marked a tragic loss for those who knew her but also highlighted the severe risks faced by women human rights defenders in their tireless work.
“The conviction of Patrick who was not remorseful over his heinous act assures Kenyans that we have a functioning legal system that can protect those aggrieved and seeking justice in Kenya. The guilty verdict in Elizabeth Ekaru’s case is a landmark judgment that reinforces the importance of accountability and the rule of law.”