A man convicted for killing a fellow patron at a bar for smoking near him has been jailed for 25 years.Vincent Kipkemoi Siele, 28, murdered Bernard Kiptoo Rono on September 16, 2015, in a bar at Chepkemel centre.He stabbed Rono in the chest even after the latter had stopped smoking near him.
Kericho High Court Judge Mumbi Ngugi found Siele guilty of murder.“It is my finding that the accused had, with malice aforethought on September 16, 2015, at Chepkemel centre, murdered Bernard Kiptoo Rono,” said Justice Ngugi.“The accused merits a custodial sentence, to learn the error of his ways, and to appreciate that every life is worthwhile, and should not be taken away, less so over so insignificant a matter as a quarrel over cigarettes,” she added.During cross-examination, Inspector Jonathan Lekachunula told court three days after the incident, the accused surrendered to Sondu Police Station.
A statement, in which he admitted committing the offence, was recorded.“The accused stated that he was sitting in the bar when the deceased lit a cigarette. He told the deceased that he was not a smoker, and the smoke was affecting him,” said Mr Lekachunula.“The accused nonetheless followed the victim and a fight between them started, leading to the stabbing.”When placed on his defence, Siele elected to give a statement that was not sworn and did not call witnesses.In a report filed on November 5, last year, the probation officer said the accused had no previous record, and that he was drunk at the time.
