A man from Kisumu has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a violent robbery that took place in May 2024. Michael Onyango Ochieng, known locally as “Jonyo,” was convicted for attacking and robbing John Okaka in the Manyatta area of Kisumu.
On the morning of May 11, 2024, around 7 a.m., Ochieng, along with two accomplices, assaulted Okaka. Armed with a crowbar, they struck the victim on the head before making off with two mobile phones and a sum of money. The attack left Okaka with serious head injuries.
The court heard testimony from several prosecution witnesses, including neighbors, medical officers, and police investigators, all of whom provided evidence that placed Ochieng at the scene of the crime. Some witnesses were able to positively identify him as a known figure in the area, further supporting the case against him.
Medical evidence presented in court showed that Okaka had sustained a wound consistent with blunt force trauma, confirming the severity of the attack. Additionally, an identification parade conducted by the police further corroborated the prosecution’s case, leading to the conviction. Despite Ochieng’s denial of the charges, claiming he had been arrested at a kiosk unrelated to the incident, the court was convinced by the evidence presented.
The principal magistrate, Dennis Ogal, presided over the case at the Winam Law Courts. In his judgment, he noted that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. He emphasized that the evidence presented left no room for doubt regarding Ochieng’s involvement in the assault and robbery.
This conviction serves as a reminder of the severity with which violent crimes are treated by the Kenyan justice system. It also highlights the importance of witness testimony and forensic evidence in securing convictions.
