Police Officer Sentenced to 15 Years for Killing Wife in Uasin Gishu

 

By Emmaculate Cheruto 

A High Court in Eldoret has sentenced former police officer Maxwell Maina to 15 years in prison for the manslaughter of his wife, Mercy Chebet.

Maina, who was initially charged with murder, reached a plea agreement with Chebet’s family and pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Justice Reuben Nyakundi said the court acknowledged Maina’s remorse and reconciliation with his in-laws but stressed that forgiveness could not replace justice.

"If this court were to set you free simply because of forgiveness and remorse, then the justice system would have failed," the judge said.

The court heard that on November 28, 2021, Maina shot Chebet twice in the chest during a domestic quarrel at their home in Uasin Gishu County. He then returned to his workplace as if nothing had happened before surrendering himself later at Railways Police Station while still intoxicated.

Pastor Rebecca Kipchumba, who witnessed the shooting, told the court that Maina accused Chebet of refusing to open the door and instructed her not to take Chebet to the hospital because she was “already dead.” Chebet later died at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.

Justice Nyakundi condemned the act, calling it “senseless” and noting that Maina, a trained officer, had been armed to protect, not harm.