A police officer in Eldoret has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of murdering his wife. Maxwell Maina Muigai, who was stationed at the Eldoret Railways police station, shot his wife, Mercy Chebet, on November 28, 2023, while under the influence of alcohol. The High Court in Eldoret delivered the verdict, following testimony from key witnesses and an investigation that showed Muigai acted without provocation.
On the day of the incident, Muigai, who had reportedly been drinking, confronted his wife at their home in the Railways police line. Chebet refused to open the door, which led to an escalating altercation. According to witness accounts, including that of a neighbor and pastor, Muigai knocked on the door multiple times, demanding to be let in, before fatally shooting his wife twice in the chest with his AK-47 service rifle.
Chebet was rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, but succumbed to her injuries shortly after the shooting. Despite committing the heinous act, Muigai returned to his duties at the police station, acting as though nothing had occurred.
The case was heavily influenced by the testimonies of several witnesses, including a senior pastor from the African Inland Church. The pastor, who lived next door to the couple, witnessed the shooting and later recalled how Muigai dismissed any attempts to help his wife, stating that she was already dead.
In his judgment, Judge Reuben Nyakundi acknowledged Muigai’s guilty plea and the plea bargain made with the victim’s family but emphasized the severity of the crime. He noted that while the officer had expressed remorse, the circumstances surrounding the murder, as well as the use of a firearm, warranted a custodial sentence. The judge also pointed out that Muigai’s actions were inexcusable, regardless of the alcohol consumed, and that his position as a law enforcement officer made the crime even more egregious.
This case highlights the dangers of alcohol abuse and domestic violence, as well as the tragic consequences that can arise when law enforcement officers abuse their power.
