ELDORET, Kenya — The High Court in Eldoret has sentenced a man to 35 years’ imprisonment after convicting him of murdering his two young children by poisoning them with pesticide-laced food.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said the court found Musa Saka guilty after the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt through the testimony of six witnesses.
According to the prosecution, Saka poisoned the children by serving them vegetables laced with Triatix, an acaricide commonly used to control ticks in livestock.
The court heard that the incident followed a domestic dispute between the accused and his wife, who had left the matrimonial home, leaving their four children in Saka’s care.
On the day of the incident, the family ate ugali and vegetables prepared by the eldest child before retiring to bed.
Shortly afterwards, the children developed severe stomach pains. One of the children managed to seek help from a neighbour, who found Saka and the other children in critical condition.
They were rushed to hospital, but two of the children died from the effects of the poisoning.
One of the surviving children testified during the trial, recounting the events leading to the deaths.
During sentencing, prosecution counsel Brenda Oduor, Emma Okok and Claire Muriithi urged the court to impose a custodial sentence, arguing that Saka had grossly abused the trust and responsibility entrusted to him as a parent.
The prosecution further submitted that the killings were premeditated and carried out in an exceptionally cruel manner, warranting a deterrent sentence.
In delivering the judgment, Justice Wananda sentenced Saka to 35 years’ imprisonment on each count, observing that the victims had suffered a horrific death at the hands of the person responsible for their protection and care.
The conviction marks the conclusion of the murder trial, with the court finding the prosecution had established the accused’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.