By Achieng Kemuma
A Kibera court has sentenced Isaac Khanga to death after convicting him on two counts of robbery with violence, a crime that remains punishable by death under Kenya’s Penal Code.
The verdict, delivered on June 10, 2025, by Principal Magistrate Christine Njagi, stems from violent robberies committed on November 3, 2024, in the Kawangware Madiaba area of Dagoretti Sub-County, Nairobi.
According to court documents and witness testimony, Khanga—along with accomplices who remain at large—stole mobile phones and cash from two victims in separate but closely timed attacks. In the first incident, the gang made off with a Tecno mobile phone worth Ksh. 24,000 and Ksh. 30,000 in cash. In the second, they forcibly took a phone valued at Ksh. 15,000.
The prosecution, led by Ann Murage of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), presented compelling evidence that led to Khanga’s conviction. Magistrate Njagi ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, emphasizing the violence and threats used during the commission of the crimes.
In her sentencing, Magistrate Njagi handed down two death sentences—one for each count of robbery with violence. One sentence is to be held in abeyance, a legal procedure recognizing the ongoing constitutional status of the death penalty in Kenya, despite a de facto moratorium on executions since the 1980s.
"This court upholds the rule of law and affirms that robbery with violence remains one of the most serious offenses under the Kenyan legal framework. The punishment prescribed is clear," Njagi stated during the sentencing.
Swift Justice, Legal Implications
The case, which was initiated by the ODPP on November 15, 2024, concluded in less than six months, highlighting the judiciary's focus on timely justice delivery in criminal matters.
Though Khanga's co-accused have not been apprehended, the court maintained that his conviction was based solely on his individual culpability, as established during the trial.
Debate on Death Penalty Resurfaces
Khanga’s sentencing has reignited public and legal debate on the application of the death penalty in Kenya. While courts continue to issue death sentences, the country has not carried out executions for decades, instead commuting many such sentences to life imprisonment.
Legal experts point out that no higher court has declared the death penalty unconstitutional, and it remains part of the sentencing framework for serious crimes such as murder, treason, and robbery with violence.
Khanga now faces a possible appeal or may seek executive clemency under the powers of the President.
As Kenya continues to balance criminal justice with evolving human rights norms, this case serves as a reminder of the country’s strict legal stance on violent crimes—and the complex legal legacy surrounding capital punishment.
Let me know if you’d like to adapt this for TV, radio, or a feature story on the legal implications of the death penalty in Kenya.
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