Man sentenced to 20 years for killing wife after drinking spree in Baringo

Judge gavel and handcuffs on wooden desk. [Courtesy/ GettyImages]

The High Court in Kabarnet, Baringo County, has sentenced a man to 20 years in prison for killing his wife after a drinking spree two years ago.

Justice Rachel Ngetich sentenced Silas Chemjor for the murder of Florence Kibor, which occurred on May 30, 2023, in Kaptich, Baringo Central.

The judge highlighted that Kibor lost her life due to domestic violence, an act that has caused significant distress within the community.

"She lost her life following domestic violence, and community views expressed in the pre-sentence report indicate that there is still resentment towards her husband," the judge stated.

The couple's neighbor, Vivian Chepchieng, testified that on May 29, 2023, she was in her house with her children when she heard noises coming from Chemjor's house, including cries for help from his wife.

The neighbor mentioned that the couple often drank and fought, which led her to dismiss the screams as a typical altercation.

Around 10 a.m., Chepchieng was called to the couple's home by their son and found Kibor in a serious condition.

Together with another neighbor, they advised the boy to call for help if his mother's condition worsened; tragically, she later learned of Kibor's death the following morning.

The couple's 14-year-old son recounted that upon returning home from school, he found his mother in pain, lying on the bed.

There was blood on the bed and on his mother's legs.

He changed out of his school clothes and went to her, but she was unresponsive. The boy said his mother had fallen from the bed, which prompted him to call their neighbors for assistance.

Pathologist Dr. Wangare Wambugu, who conducted the postmortem examination, determined that Kibor died from massive bleeding in the pelvic area due to both sharp and blunt trauma sustained during the assault.

In his defense, Chemjor admitted to killing his wife, expressing regret for the events of that night and attributing his actions to intoxication and emotional distress. He stated that during an argument while drinking, he became violent and struck his wife with a stick.

The judge noted that the couple lived in separate houses, indicating a lack of harmony in their relationship, possibly stemming from ongoing disagreements.

"In my view, a custodial sentence will give the accused a chance to reflect on his behavior, undergo rehabilitation, and promote justice within the community. Therefore, he is sentenced to 20 years in prison," the judge concluded.