Peter Karanja: Kenyan Policeman who Shot Dead 10 People in One Night Imprisoned for 20 Years

Constable Peter Karanja, an Administration Police officer who shot dead 10 people at Siakago town, Embu County nine years ago has been handed a 20-year prison sentence.

Karanja, 46, was jailed by Embu High Court Justice Florence Muchemi on Thursday, putting to an end the trial that lasted nearly a decade. The accused was charged that on November 6th, 2010 at Siakago, he shot and killed Anthony Mwaniki, Frida Ng’endo, Kenwin Muthomi, Agostino Kinyua, and George Ng’ang’a.

He was also charged with the murder of Domisiano Muchira, Ephantus Munyi, Rachel Muthoni and fellow AP officers Wilfred Gitonga and Fredrick Okwako.

Karanja is said to have been on night duty at the then-District Commissioner’s residence on that fateful day before he left at around 11.30 pm to allegedly look for his estranged girlfriend. He claimed he was going to relieve himself but instead went to Siakago where he stormed several bars demanding to know the whereabouts of his girlfriend.

He then embarked on a shooting spree, gunning down 10 people before he ran out of bullets and surrendered to police officers. Karanja was sentenced to 20 years in jail for each of the 10 counts he was facing but the terms will run concurrently.

He has 14 days to appeal the sentence.