Ruto, together with others, stole Kamau’s seven cows, three goats and burnt eight houses at his homestead/FILE
This is after the Court of Appeal dismissed Peter Kipkemboi Ruto’s appeal against life imprisonment imposed by the High Court in 2012.
Ruto killed his elderly neighbour, 67-year-old Kamau Kimani Thiong’o on January 1, 2008 at Kamura Village in Timboroa area of Uasin Gishu.
Ruto, together with others, stole Kamau’s seven cows, three goats and burnt eight houses at his homestead.
The theft and destruction was valued at Sh850,000.
While delivering her judgment on June 12, 20012, Lady Justice Roselyn Wendoh observed that the accused was well identified by the prosecution witnesses since the attacks happened in broad daylight.
Justice Wendoh noted that four of the witnesses clearly identified Ruto and two others who are still at large because they were well known to them and they had lived together as neighbours for many years.
She said the witnesses narrated how there had been tension between the Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities following the announcement of the presidential election results.
However, Ruto appealed against the sentence and told appellate judges Roselyn Nambuye Philomena Mwilu and Gatembu Kairu that the evidence against him was inconsistent and contradicting.
But the Appellate judges have dismissed his appeal and changed his sentence from life in prison to death by hanging.
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