A man has been handed a 40-year prison sentence for murdering his wife by locking her inside their home before setting it on fire.
According to a statement from the ODPP on Saturday, November 29, Robert Kipkorir Tonui was convicted by the High Court in Bomet for the killing of his wife, Emmy Chepkoech Mitei.
The court was informed that on October 3, 2020, Robert Kipkorir Tonui carried out the deadly attack by dousing the family house with petrol while his wife was still inside.
Husband Gets 40-Year Sentence for Burning Wife Alive in Locked Home. Photo: Courtesy.
After ensuring she could not escape by locking the door from the outside, he set the house ablaze, trapping her in the inferno.
Neighbours and responders managed to pull Mitei from the burning building, but she had already sustained extensive third-degree burns covering 90 per cent of her body.
Despite being rushed to hospital for emergency treatment, her injuries were too severe, and she succumbed four days later, on October 7, 2020.
After reviewing the testimonies, forensic reports, and other evidence presented during the trial, the High Court concluded that the prosecution had successfully demonstrated Tonui’s culpability beyond reasonable doubt.
This comprehensive proof led to his conviction for murder.
In pronouncing the 40-year sentence, the Court emphasized that such a penalty was necessary to reflect the horrific nature of the crime.
It added that the punishment also underscores the broader national commitment to combating gender-based violence and serves as a strong deterrent to anyone who might contemplate similar acts.
