Kenyan Man Jailed 20 Years for Stealing Sh780

The Makindu Magistrates Court on Thursday, July 6, imposed a 20-year prison sentence on Boniface Maingi, who had been convicted of robbery with violence. 

The crime was committed on January 18, 2020, in Emali Township, Makueni County. Prosecutor Catherine Ngari presented evidence to the court, including police reports, eyewitness accounts and circumstantial proof that Maingi was present at the scene of the theft of Sh780, clothing and a pair of shoes. Ngari also reported that investigative officers had secured the area and ensured the safety of both the victim and any witnesses. 

"Boniface Maingi was found guilty of forcefully and violently robbing the complainant of a mobile phone, assorted clothes, a pair of shoes, and Ksh 780 at Emali township," ODPP stated in a statement. 

Pursuant to section 296 (2) of the Kenyan Penal Code, robbery with violence is defined as an act in which the perpetrator is either armed with a dangerous or offensive weapon, or in the company of one or more other persons, or if they have wounded, beaten or used any other form of personal violence against any individual. In these cases, the penalty can be life imprisonment.

The distinction between robbery with violence and basic robbery is significant since the punishments for the former are much more severe. For robbery with violence, the maximum sentence is life imprisonment whereas normal robbery is punishable by a maximum of 14 years in prison. Under Section 296 (2), it is worth noting that not all robberies that involve violence will be categorized as robbery with violence.