The court has sentenced a mother of 5 to 15 years in prison for attempting to murder her husband and for chopping his genitals.
The offense was committed on November 19, 2021, in Igembe North, Meru County.
The sentencing was done at a Maua court after Chief Magistrate Tito Gesora said the prosecution had proven its case beyond doubt that the woman intended to kill her husband when she attacked him.
The court heard how the woman attacked her husband as he slept and declared that she wanted to kill him for refusing to sub-divide his miraa farm.
The man recounted how shocked he was when he saw his wife lifting a panga over him at 3 am, striking his head and limb.
As he writhed in pain, she grabbed a kitchen knife and cut off a part of his testicles.
The 60-year-old miraa farmer tried to raise the alarm but slipped into unconsciousness.
His wife then attempted to force an unidentified chemical down his throat, the court was told.
Their daughter, who was woken up by the commotion, started screaming, but her mother hit her and ordered her to shut up.
The villagers came to the man's rescue after hearing the child's screams. The woman, who was brandishing the panga, shut the door.
One brave neighbour, who also had a panga, stormed the house, disarmed the woman, and rescued the man.
The woman then attempted to escape but villagers caught her and wanted to lynch her. She was rescued by the chief, who took her to Laare police station.
Case investigating officer, Police Constable James Kanampiu, gave an account of the gory scene of the crime.
He said the scene was covered in blood and he found the severed body part, as well as the bloodied machete and knife used in the attack.
The couple’s child told the court how she called for help, leading to her father’s rescue, and subsequent admission to Chaaria Mission hospital.
The victim told the stunned court that his wife had attacked him before over the land issue, but he had refused to give in to her demands because all the children were still in school.
In her defence, the woman blamed the attack on a mental illness she allegedly has.
Seeking to prove her innocence, the mother insisted that her medical records be brought before the court, but it was reported that she had burnt them.
Mr Gesora sent her for a fresh psychiatric assessment, which indicated that she had been on treatment for schizophrenia since March 2021, but had recovered.
The magistrate had noted that though the report said she needed long-term follow-up by a mental health officer, she was fit to stand trial at the time.
Mr Gesora sentenced the woman to a prison term of 15 years but explained to her that she had a right to appeal within 14 days.
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