Man on violent robbery charge changes plea after death threat

Moses Munga’u before the Kakamega Chief Magistrate's court on August 20. [Jack Murima]

A man who had pleaded guilty three times for robbery with violence charges changed plea after he was told the offence attracts a mandatory death sentence.

Moses Munga’u had on Wednesday pleaded guilty to the capital offence before Kakamega Chief Magistrate Bildad Ochieng’ even after being warned that the offence is serious.

Unperturbed, Munga’u admitted robbing Justus Matage Sh250 while armed with a kitchen knife and stabbing him.

The magistrate deferred the plea by a day, saying he was giving the accused time to think about his plea.

According to the charge sheet, Matage was on his way home in Madirini village, Kakamega South district, at 7pm when he was accosted.

During the August 18 incident, the complainant was stopped by Munga’u, who was well known to him, before drawing the weapon.

Munga’u stabbed Matage on the forehead, leading to massive loss of blood.

The accused then demanded the complainant to hand every valuable he had.

Munga’u is said to have taken the money before fleeing.

Matage reported the matter at Eregi Police Patrol Base where a search was mounted.

Munga'u was arrested two days later in a nearby village.

When he appeared in court, he denied the charges.

He was granted Sh300,000 bond with a surety of similar amount pending the hearing of the case on November 12.