Mixed reaction to death penalty for three touts

Dickson Mbugua

There were varied reactions to the death sentence meted out to the three men who assaulted and robbed a woman in a Githurai bus.

While some people applauded the ruling by Chief Magistrate Felix Andayi, terming it a fair judgment, others said it was too harsh.

The Matatu Welfare Association (MWA) supported the ruling, terming it a lesson to all operators.

“We have no sympathy for them. They deserve the punishment and the judge’s ruling was appropriate,” said Dickson Mbugua, the association’s chairman said.

The National Transport and Safety Authority Director General Francis Meja warned those who might be involved in such acts that the law would catch up with them too.

“The three men deserve the punishment. The ruling was justified and this is to send a message to all members that such actions will not be tolerated. Everyone should take responsibility for their actions,” said Meja.

However, Dennis Gitau a member of MWA, was of a different opinion, saying it was too harsh.

“The ruling was not fair. I agree that whatever they did was wrong, but the punishment is too harsh. There are worse crimes being committed out here that need such judgments, such as murder and corruption, but the perpetrators are left to walk away free,” said Gitau. [Mercy Auma]