Former Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel has been sentenced to one year in prison without the option of a fine for slapping and kicking current Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere five years ago.
The former MP had assaulted Sara Korere who is the current MP at the offices of the late Nkaissery.
So the offense had taken place on November 21st, 2016.
Milimani Principal Magistrate Hellen said that his sentence will serve as an example to violent men who trample on women’s rights with impunity.
I have also considered the fact that the accused person is a first offender but I note that the accused is a leader who should be a good example to others I hereby proceed to sentence the accused person to serve 1-year imprisonment,” the magistrate ruled.
During the ruling, Hellen said that the prosecution team had proved beyond any reasonable doubt that Mathew-the accused- was guilty as charged for the offense of the assault and causing actual bodily harm. Which is contrary to section 251 of the penal code.
Through his lawyer, the former MP had claimed that the CCTV did not capture the events on that day. But the magistrate dismissed the claims. Because it was in the record that the boardroom whet the offense was committed had no CCTV.
The CCTV was at the corridor but the offence was committed in the boardroom and not in the corridor and such the said CCTV would have been immaterial consideration of this case, she said.
Mathew had previously been given a chance to defend himself. But he did not avail medical documents after claiming he was a victim.
He was not given an option of a fine. May this serve as a lesson to other men.