Justice Flavia Anglin Ssenoga of the High Court has sentenced a former body guard to Major Juma Seiko to 35years in jail for murdering two people in December 2016.
Alex Cherotich, was last week found guilty of two counts of murder and other two of attempted murder on which the judge sentenced him to 35 years -20years in jail. However the judge has ordered that Cherotich serves the prison terms concurrently.
On December 4, 2016 while on duty at Major Juma Seiko’s residence in Nakasero Hill, Cherotich shot dead Lameck Ogwang and Fred Sembatya and also injured David Ssenkunuga and Solomon Mugabi whom he suspected of being intruders at the residence he was guarding.
However Justice Ssenoga ruled that the person whom the deceased had brought home was well known as he was staying in that very home although the convict decided to shoot at them without first according them hearing.
The judge also noted that noted that Cherotich being an ex-soldier , he is trained enough to control his temper and that a 35 year jail term will teach other people holding guns not to act irrationally by shooting at innocent citizens who also are doing other businesses for survivor.
While mitigating for a linnet sentence , Cherotich apologized for the unfortunate incident and asked court to save him the hang man’s wrath and instead give him a custodial sentence.
If the court of Appeal finds no reason to tamper with the 35 year jail sentence , Cherotich. who is 29 years now will leave jail in 2052 at the age of 64 years.
He however has a right to appeal against his conviction and sentence if he is not satisfied within 14 days from Monday 23rd September 2019.
