Kenyan Chief Sentenced to 115 Years in Prison for Incitement

A Kenyan assistant chief from Busia County was this week sentenced to 115 years in prison after he was found guilty of incitement.

Ong’aroi assistant chief Andrew Odata was accused of inciting villagers to burn down the homestead of one of the residents named Francis Ong’amo in 2016.

This left the victim’s 32 family members homeless, forcing them to seek shelter at Kenya Medical Research Institute, Alupe, where they have lived since June 2016.

The local administrator claimed Ong’amo bewitched his younger brother Ceremin Ong’amo who passed away on June 6th, 2016.

The incident led to the arrest of Odata and 10 other suspects, who were later freed after the court declared them innocent.

In his ruling, Senior Principal Magistrate Patrick Olengo said the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the assistant chief committed the offenses.

“The offense carries life imprisonment. The victims of the crime have not gone back to their homes. The residents relied on the assistant chief for their security but he betrayed them by deciding to take sides in a dispute,” the magistrate ruled.

“When the houses were being burnt, he did not bother to find out what was going on despite being in-charge of security of that area.” 

“I am convinced that the prosecution proved its case against the first accused beyond reasonable doubt. I find Andrew Odata guilty of counts one to five and hereby convict him.”

“I hereby sentence him to 23 years’ imprisonment on each of the five counts. The sentences run concurrently,” the magistrate added.

In mitigation, Odata pleaded for leniency noting that he was remorseful for what had occurred. He added that he has six children of school-going age and sending him to prison would see them drop out of school.