Nairobi: A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to four years’ imprisonment by a principal magistrate court in Kabarnet for clobbering his mother over food, knocking down one tooth. The helpless mother is said to have been hit with a stick, loosening another tooth before being strangled by the accused, who was demanding food.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kanyakera Kalupi was charged with the assault on November 29, 2025, at Ches village in Tiaty West Sub-county, Baringo County. He assaulted Maria Kibelo, his mother, causing her grievous bodily harm. Kalupi faced charges under Section 234 of the Penal Code but pleaded not guilty before Senior Principal Magistrate Purity Koskey.
The complainant recounted that she was at her goat pen when the accused demanded food from his sister in the kitchen. When she intervened, he slapped her, hit her with a stick, and strangled her. Kibelo testified that the attack led to the loss of a tooth and loosened others, causing her significant distress. She reported the incident to Nginyang Police Station and sought treatment at Nginyang Health Centre.
Kelvin Kiplagat, who examined the victim, confirmed her injuries in court, noting damage to her teeth and right hand. He classified the injuries as grievous harm in his medical report. Investigating Officer Barrack Odhiambo said the victim reported the assault on November 30, presenting the lost tooth as evidence. The accused was subsequently arrested by National Police Reservists and taken to Nginyang Police Station.
Kalupi defended himself by claiming that his uncle, Long’una, incited his mother to report him to the police over a family dispute concerning his sister’s dowry. However, Magistrate Koskey found the evidence sufficient for a conviction and declared him guilty of grievous harm under Section 215 of the criminal procedure code.
In his mitigation, Kalupi stated that he had been assisting his grandfather and nephew at home while his mother was away and had suffered during custody, appealing for leniency. Nevertheless, Magistrate Koskey emphasized the need to deter such rising cases by imposing a custodial sentence. She sentenced Kalupi to four years in prison, with the time served in custody to be included in the sentence. Kalupi has 14 days to appeal the judgement.
