A family in Nyeri County has been left devastated after five of its members were sentenced to lengthy prison terms over an assault case. The convicts include 60-year-old John Ritho Kihoi, his three sons, and his son-in-law, all of whom are now serving a combined 100 years behind bars. Each was handed 20 years in prison, a ruling that has shaken the entire household.
The events leading to the sentence began at a local bar, where Kihoi and his son-in-law were enjoying drinks. In what he thought was a friendly gesture, Kihoi offered to buy drinks for another man and his wife. However, this simple act of kindness took a dark turn, sparking anger and a heated confrontation with the man, who objected to his wife being included in the treat.
The disagreement soon escalated into a violent altercation, during which stones were reportedly hurled. Kihoi later admitted that he had been under the influence of alcohol and could not clearly recall all that had transpired that night. What he did not anticipate, however, was that the fight would later entangle his sons in a case they insisted they knew nothing about.
A year after the incident, Kihoi, his three sons, and his son-in-law were arrested and charged with assault. Despite Kihoi’s repeated claims that his sons were innocent and had not even been present at the scene, the court found all five men guilty. Their conviction and subsequent sentencing to 20 years each crushed any hope the family had of a lighter outcome.
For the women and children left behind, the sentence has been nothing short of catastrophic. They have been stripped of their breadwinners and left to fend for themselves in extremely difficult circumstances. One of Kihoi’s sons broke down in tears in court, urging his wife to remain strong and take care of their children until his expected release in 2037.
Kihoi maintains that his sons were wrongfully convicted and that justice was not served. However, his pleas and appeals for their release have so far been unsuccessful. The case has now become a painful reminder of how a single night of conflict can alter the fate of an entire family.
