The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has today secured a 15-year prison sentence against a 30-year-old man convicted of attempting to murder his 70-year-old uncle over witchcraft allegations in Kilifi County.
Mapenzi Gharama Katana was sentenced by Principal Magistrate Hon. Ivy D. Wasike after the prosecution successfully proved the charge of attempted murder contrary to Section 220(a) of the Penal Code.
The court heard that Katana, acting jointly with another person who was not before the court, attacked his uncle, Palu Katana Kashuru, with a panga, inflicting serious injuries to his head and hands.
The attack occurred on13th June 2024 in Petanguo Village, Ganze Sub-County.
The victim testified that he was relaxing outside his house after dinner when his nephew approached him. Believing he had come to greet him, he was caught off guard when Katana struck him on the back of the head with a panga.
As he attempted to escape and shield himself from further attacks, the assailant slashed his hands, severing several fingers. His screams attracted his grandchildren and neighbours, who rushed to his rescue.
Before losing consciousness, the victim repeatedly identified Katana as his attacker.
He was initially rushed to Ganze Health Centre before being transferred to Kilifi County Hospital, where he remained admitted until 4th of July 4 2024.
A clinician presented by the prosecution confirmed that the victim had sustained grievous injuries, including deep cuts to the head and face, multiple wounds to his hands and fractures of the left ulna and index finger.
Prosecution, led by Principal Prosecution Counsel Nancy Njeru, called seven witnesses to establish its case.
In his defence, Katana claimed he was at home in Kilifi when the attack occurred. However, the court rejected his alibi, describing it as rehearsed and riddled with contradictions. The magistrate noted that approximately two hours of his whereabouts remained unexplained.
In her judgment, Hon. Wasike found that the prosecution had established the accused’s involvement and proved the charge beyond reasonable doubt.
The court established that the attack was motivated by the accused’s belief that his uncle had bewitched his father, who had subsequently died.
During sentencing, the magistrate condemned witchcraft-related violence, observing that such attacks had contributed to the deaths of elderly people in Kilifi County.
She further noted that the accused had meticulously planned the attack, arranged an alibi and left his uncle permanently maimed without demonstrating remorse.
The court also considered his previous criminal history and observed that the victim might have died had his grandchildren and neighbours not responded promptly.
Katana was granted 14 days to appeal.
