A Machakos court has sentenced a man to 20 years in prison for attempting to murder a Kenya Power staff member by shooting him with an arrow during an operation to restore electricity in Yatta Sub-County.
Kioko Kavita, the accused, was found guilty of shooting Esau Ogutu Mbadi on June 7, 2024, at Kithendu village after Kenya Power staff attempted to prune trees interfering with power lines.
The court heard that the team of engineers and technicians identified an avocado tree in Kavita’s homestead as the source of recurring blackouts in the area. Despite being cautioned about the danger it posed, Kavita refused to allow the tree to be cut down and threatened violence against the officials.
Moments later, he armed himself with a bow and arrows and shot Ogutu on the right side of the abdomen. The victim was rushed to Matuu Level 4 Hospital, where he underwent surgery to remove the lodged arrow.
While delivering judgment, Principal Magistrate P. Wechuli ruled that the prosecution had proved beyond doubt that Kavita intended to kill the complainant.
“His overt act of carefully placing an arrow on a bow and shooting at the complainant means that he was in the process of killing him. This was not mere preparation; he had put his plan in motion,” said Hon. Wechuli.
The court further observed that had the accused not been restrained, he would have shot a second arrow, which could have resulted in Ogutu’s death.
Wechuli described the attack as “barbaric and unfortunate,” noting that the complainant had no personal conflict with the accused and was only performing his duties to restore power to the village.
“The accused had allowed his tree to interfere with the power line, affecting the entire community. To turn around and attack the complainant so viciously warrants a deterrent sentence,” the magistrate added.
Kavita will serve 20 years behind bars, with the sentence taking into account the time he has already spent in custody.
The case was successfully prosecuted by Fred Kimathi and James Gachoka.
