Man to serve eight years for killing friend over Sh200 debt

A man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for killing his friend over Sh200.

Justice Nicholas Ombija convicted Onesmus Kimathi Mwaura of manslaughter after establishing that the offence was committed accidentally.

Kimathi was charged with the murder of Victor Otieno Owino on December 4, 2010, at Kariadudu Estate in Nairobi but the judge substituted the charge with manslaughter.

The accused claimed Mr Owino owed him Sh200 and he became violent when he asked for the cash and even threatened to stab him.

He said he later wrested the knife from him and accidentally stabbed him.

Ten prosecution witnesses testified in the case.

The accused was arrested while hiding in a toilet at Baba Dogo in Nairobi.

Lawyer Rojer Kanyoko asked the court to grant the accused a non-custodial sentence, saying he was remorseful and had suffered enough as he had been in custody for over four years.