Those who committed heinous acts during last year’s post-election chaos are probably having endless nightmares.Yesterday, a man stunned a court by demanding life imprisonment, claiming he torched houses when Kenya went to the brink of chaos.The man, who has been charged with being drunk and disorderly, also claimed Mungiki gangs were after him because of his involvement.
Mr Clement Wafula claimed police had refused to lock him up even after presenting himself at two stations.A packed court was thrown into confusion and disbelief as the man sought the heavy sentence despite undergoing two mental tests.He appeared before Kapsabet Senior Resident Magistrate Gerald Mutiso for being drunk and disorderly last December 18.Wafula shocked the court when he said he wanted to be charged with arson in Uasin Gishu District during post-election violence.He claimed he presented himself to Eldoret Police Station, but was chased away. The same happened at Kapsabet Police Station, but he was later arrested for being drunk and disorderly.
No peace of mind
The former tout claimed he would be secure in police custody, having received threats for his role.He said he had moved to Lodwar and Mt Elgon, but could not find safety and wanted to be jailed for life or at least 30 years to be safe from members of the outlawed sect.He claimed some of his friends had allegedly died mysteriously for their heinous acts.The claims prompted the mental assessment at Kapsabet District Hospital, and a second one at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret. A report released on January 21 found him fit to plead. Court orderlies said investigators have been dispatched to establish the man’s claims, but they have found no clues.
Yesterday, Mr Mutiso ordered the probation department to investigate the credibility of the accused’s utterances, his home and work place, and report to court on October 21
