A family in Nyeri County, Kenya, is grappling with a devastating court ruling that has sentenced five of its male members to a combined total of 100 years in prison.
The harsh judgment has left the family broken, with the women now facing the difficult task of providing for themselves and their children without their main providers.
The trouble for the Kihoi family began on what seemed like an ordinary night out at a local bar in Nyeri.
John Ritho Kihoi, a 60-year-old farmer and father, had gone to the bar with his son-in-law after selling some onions and having a bit of extra money to spend.
During their time at the bar, Kihoi bought drinks for a fellow patron and his wife, an act that would soon spiral into a major conflict.
The man Kihoi had bought drinks for grew angry when he realized that his wife had also received a drink from Kihoi.
This led to a heated argument that quickly escalated into a physical altercation outside the bar.
According to Kihoi’s recounting on a local television show, both he and the other man were heavily intoxicated, and the details of what happened next are murky.
Kihoi recalls that a stone was thrown at him during the altercation, but the specifics of the ensuing fight remain unclear due to their drunken state.
A year after the bar brawl, the repercussions of that night caught up with Kihoi and his family.
The man who had been involved in the altercation lodged a complaint, alleging that Kihoi and his sons had assaulted him during the incident.
This accusation led to the arrest of Kihoi, his three biological sons, and his son-in-law, all of whom were charged with causing grievous harm.
Despite Kihoi’s claims in court that his sons were not involved in the fight, the court found all five men guilty. Each family member received a sentence of 20 years, adding up to a collective 100-year sentence.
Kihoi expressed his frustration and sorrow during the trial, insisting that his sons were innocent and were unfairly implicated in a conflict that was initially between him and the complainant.
The sentencing has left the Kihoi family in a state of shock and despair. With the men of the family imprisoned, the women are now left to fend for themselves and their children.
The absence of their primary breadwinners has created both emotional and financial strain. One of Kihoi’s sons, speaking with tears, expressed his deep concern for his wife and children, urging his wife to stay strong in his absence.
By Newsmedia