Dowry in Kenya is a big deal and for some people, it is actually a matter of life and death. In 2016, a herder in Laikipia was accused of killing his father-in-law after he refused to return cows he had paid as dowry.
The High Court has released a Laikipia herder accused of killing his father-in-law for refusing to return cows he had paid as dowry.
It was however a sigh of relief for Joseph Lekini Lekupuny as the court today made a ruling in his favour. Justice Mary Kasango ruled that Mr. Lekupuny was not guilty as charged since the prosecution failed to prove the charge of murder beyond a reasonable doubt.
Mr Lekupuny is said to have assaulted and killed his father-in-law, Resipo Lesipia, in December 2016 in Posta Makadara village, Laikipia North. The court heard that the dispute arose after the accused demanded cows he had given the family as dowry while the deceased sought family talks over the issue.
Justice Kasango ruled that, according to the evidence produced in court, the accused acted in self-defence when he hit the victim.
“The fight between the accused and the deceased could have been triggered by the fact that the deceased did not want his cows to be taken,” said the judge in her ruling.
The death of the deceased was confirmed by the deceased’s two brothers Jacob Lekaldero, Julius Lekaldero and by the doctor who performed the post mortem. The post mortem revealed that the cause of death was severe head injury with intra cranial haemorrhage and haematoma after an assault.
The brothers said that Mr. Lekupuny hit the late Mr. Lesipia with a rungu during the fight.
Is dowry viewed a serious thing in your community?