Man sentenced to 15 years in jail despite offering ‘bribe’

By Lawrence Aluru and Isaiah Gwengi

BONDO, KENYA: A convict engaged police in physical confrontation moments after the Bondo magistrate’s court sentenced him to 15-years in prison for defiling a minor.    

Alphonce Olwa refused to leave court claiming that he had spent a lot of money to bribe senior court officers over his case for the magistrate to rule in his favour.

In his ruling, Resident magistrate, Mr Bernard Rugut said the prosecution proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt that Olwa defiled the minor in 2012 hence the cruel ruling will act as restraint to people with similar actions.

However, Olwa could hear none of it, claiming that he had given huge amount of money to the magistrate and other court officers to rule in his favour.

“I would rather be shot dead here than go to prison,” shouted Olwa.    

Armed police officers were forced to call for reinforcement from the nearby Bondo police station after the convict proved to have outwitted them.

The officers engaged him in a long struggle of push and shove, paralysing normal court operations as the agitated members of the public cheered them on.

He was eventually handcuffed before being bundled into an awaiting police Land Rover which sped off to Siaya GK prison amid tight security. 

Magistrate Kipyegon was equally escorted from the courtroom under tight security.

He said this was a plot by some individuals who wanted him to rule in Olwa’s favour.

“I am not going to be frustrated by some individuals. The law must take its course,” the magistrate said.