A Kabarnet court has sentenced a 23-year-old man to four years in prison after finding him guilty of threatening to kill his father during a violent late-night confrontation in Baringo County.
Senior Principal Magistrate Purity Koskey handed down the sentence after concluding that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Dennis Ng’etich threatened the life of his father, Simon Kiprop, while armed with a panga.
The court heard that the incident occurred in the early hours of April 4, 2026, at around 2 a.m. in the Thirty Corners area of Baringo Central Sub-county.
According to court proceedings, Ng’etich arrived at his father’s home demanding a motorcycle he had allegedly asked him to purchase. When his demands were not met, he reportedly became aggressive, repeatedly struck the door with a panga, and shouted words to the effect of, “I will finish you today.”
Fearing that the threats would be carried out, Kiprop testified that he remained inside the house and immediately sought help. He called his younger son, neighbours and other residents, who responded to the distress call. However, by the time they arrived, the accused had fled the scene.
The complainant told the court that despite efforts by the neighbours to pursue the suspect, they were unable to apprehend him that night.
The following morning, Ng’etich allegedly returned to the area while still carrying the same panga. Residents alerted authorities, leading to his arrest. Police officers escorted him to Kabarnet Police Station, where the weapon was also recovered as part of the investigation.
Accused Offered a Different Version of Events
During his defence, Ng’etich denied threatening his father and instead claimed that he was the victim of the confrontation.
He told the court that at approximately 2.40 a.m., he was asleep at his own home with his wife and child when his father, accompanied by two uncles, allegedly arrived and forcefully knocked down his door.
According to the accused, he fled into the darkness to avoid confrontation and hid for about 20 minutes. When he later returned, he claimed he found his wife and child crying, alleging they had been assaulted by his father and the two relatives.
Ng’etich further stated that out of fear for his family’s safety, they spent the remainder of the night hiding in a nearby thicket until daybreak.
However, the court found that his account failed to cast reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s evidence.
Court Found Threat Was Credible
In delivering judgment, Senior Principal Magistrate Koskey relied on legal principles established in the case of Nancy Wanja Githeka v Republic (2015), which outlines the essential elements required to prove the offence of threatening to kill.
The court observed that for such an offence to be established, there must be evidence of a threat to life that is communicated directly or indirectly to the intended victim and causes genuine fear.
After evaluating witness testimonies and the evidence presented, the magistrate ruled that the prosecution had successfully met that legal threshold.
“The prosecution was able to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt, and he is hereby found guilty of threatening to kill and convicted under Section 215 of the Criminal Procedure Code,” the magistrate ruled.
Father Opposed Lenient Sentence
During sentencing, the complainant urged the court not to consider a non-custodial sentence, saying previous attempts to reform his son had failed.
The father described Ng’etich as increasingly difficult to control despite efforts by the family to guide him toward responsible behaviour.
The court agreed with the complainant’s assessment, noting that a custodial sentence was necessary both to protect the victim and to discourage similar conduct.
In mitigation, Ng’etich pleaded for leniency, asking the court to impose a non-custodial sentence. He told the magistrate that he had dependants who relied on him, including his mother, whom he said depended on his support for survival.
Despite the plea, the court found that the seriousness of the offence outweighed the mitigating factors presented.
Four-Year Jail Term
Magistrate Koskey sentenced Ng’etich to four years’ imprisonment, saying the punishment was intended to send a strong message against violent threats within families.
She observed that cases involving threats to kill and domestic violence appeared to be increasing in the region, making deterrent sentences necessary to protect vulnerable victims and preserve public order.
The court further informed the convict that he has a right to appeal both the conviction and sentence within 14 days should he be dissatisfied with the judgment.
Rising Concern Over Domestic Violence
The ruling underscores the judiciary’s growing emphasis on addressing domestic violence and threats made within family settings, offences that often go unreported until they escalate into more serious acts of violence.
Legal experts have consistently noted that threats to kill are treated as serious criminal offences because they instill fear, disrupt family relationships and, in many cases, precede physical attacks.
The decision by the Kabarnet court serves as a reminder that family ties do not shield offenders from criminal liability where credible threats to life are made.
Authorities continue to encourage victims of domestic violence, intimidation and threats to report such incidents promptly to law enforcement agencies, emphasizing that early intervention can prevent tragic outcomes.
With the four-year sentence, the court reaffirmed that credible threats of violence—particularly those involving dangerous weapons such as pangas—will attract firm legal consequences regardless of the relationship between the accused and the victim.- -4-years-after–father
