A man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for shooting a Kenya Power employee with an arrow while the staffer was on duty.
Kioko Kavita appeared before the Kithimani Magistrate’s Court, where he was convicted for shooting Esau Ogutu Mbadi on June 7, 2024, in Kithendu village, Yatta Sub-County, Machakos County. According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Mbadi was part of a Kenya Power team assigned to trim trees that were interfering with power lines in the area when Kavita attacked him.
The team had arrived at Kavita’s property and discovered an avocado tree believed to be causing ongoing power outages by disrupting the fuses. Despite this, Kavita threatened to harm anyone who attempted to cut down the tree. The team insisted they would not leave until the tree was removed.
At this point, Kavita reportedly ran into his house, returned with a bow and arrow, and shot Mbadi in the right side of the abdomen. The ODPP stated that Kavita took careful aim before shooting the complainant.
Mbadi was rushed to Matuu Level 4 Hospital, where doctors performed surgery to remove the arrow.
In his ruling, Principal Magistrate P. Wechuli emphasized that evidence from witnesses showed Kavita’s actions were an attempt to murder Mbadi. “His deliberate act of placing an arrow on the bow and shooting it at the complainant indicates an intention to kill,” the magistrate stated. “This was not just preparation; Kavita had already set his plan in motion before being stopped.”
Magistrate Wechuli also noted that Kavita’s tree had been causing power disruptions to the whole village, and his violent reaction was both extreme and unacceptable. “The accused’s actions were barbaric and warrant a strong deterrent sentence,” he added.
The magistrate further stated that Kavita would likely have shot another arrow if not intervened. Kavita has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, taking into account the time he has already spent in custody