A Kenya Forest Ranger who shot and killed a man while his son watched seven years ago has been sentenced to seven years in prison in Elgeyo Marakwet.
On August 12, 2012, Justice Reuben Nyakundi convicted the accused, James Kiprotich, guilty of shooting Patrick Kibet to death as he was supposedly cutting firewood in the Chebiemit forest.
He was condemned to prison by Justice Reuben Nyakundi.
According to court documents, the deceased was confronted by two rangers who were on a routine patrol to prevent locals from illegally cutting down trees in the public forest.
Monica Kibet, the deceased's widow, testified in court that on the fateful Sunday morning, her late husband left the house with their kid to collect firewood in a neighboring forest.
Monica informed the court that when she arrived at the scene of the terrible incident, she discovered seven spent cartridges beside her deceased husband, which were later collected by the scene of crime authorities and presented in court as evidence.
She also informed the court that the ranger who killed her late husband was well-known to them.
Evans Kibet, the deceased's son, testified in the same case, describing how he evaded death by hiding behind a bush after witnessing rangers approaching him from a distance.
He claimed that from his hideout, he witnessed his father being shot several times by the ranger before dying on the spot.
Dr. Wekesa Nalianya, a government pathologist at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, stated in his findings, which were presented in court, that Kibet died as a result of serious chest injuries caused by gunshots.
Eleven prosecution witnesses testified against the convict in this case.
