A 31-year-old man who threatened to kill his lover for allegedly refusing to terminate a pregnancy has been sentenced to six years in prison by a Kabarnet court.

Philip Lotitipo alias Afro was charged that on diverse dates between November 2025 and January 1, 2026, at Kotoroni village in Tiaty Central Sub-County, he wilfully and unlawfully assaulted Everlyne Cheparti Kaliem.

Lotitipo who was arraigned before Kabarnet Senior Principal Magistrate Purity Koskey had pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault and causing bodily harm contrary to section 251 of the penal code.  He was also charged with threatening to kill, contrary to section 223(1) of the penal code.

The victim in her touching testimony, told the court that she was a widow living with her children and the accused used to visit her home after the death of her husband. She said that in November 2025 their relationship soured after the accused beat her up ruthlessly and even threatened to kill her if she did not terminate the pregnancy. He said he did not want a child.

Kaliem further told the court that the accused had categorically stated: “I will stab you until the baby comes out if you don’t heed my demand.”

The widow who said they have been friends with the man for four years informed the court that on January 1, 2026, the accused in a fit of anger grabbed a walking stick (bakora), which he used to hit hand and fractured it instantly.

“After the attack, I went to Chemolingot Sub-County Hospital for treatment and later reported the matter at the Chemolingot Police Station,” she narrated.

The victim’s daughter in her testimony told the court that the accused had a habit of assaulting her mother.

A razor sharp knife used during the attack by the man said to be arrogant and harsh was produced in court as an exhibit.

A duly filled P3 Form (Police Form 3) presented in court showed that the victim was examined on January 4 at Chemolingot Sub-County Hospital after being referred from the police station.

The report further showed a wound on the left lower limb and multiple bodily injuries while her left upper limb had a slight deformity.

The magistrate in her ruling found Lotitipo guilty of the charges of assault and threatening to kill and accordingly convicted him under section 215 of the criminal procedure code.

“Cases of GBV (gender-based violence) have been on the rise lately. It is the duty of the court to send a message to the public that there are other ways of solving disputes other than violence,” Koskey said.

In mitigation, Lotitipo pleaded with the magistrate to consider giving him a non-custodial sentence to enable him to take care of his young and needy family.

SPM Koskey sentenced the accused to three years’ jail term for each offence with the sentences running concurrently. Koskey ordered the accused to serve his jail term at Kabarnet GK Prison. She, however, reminded the convict of his right to appeal within 14 days if dissatisfied with the judgement. The senior principal magistrate also directed that the time spent in custody be deducted from the sentence.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Dennis Lesoite and Joshua Kibet