Mother asks court to acquit son who assaulted her on condition he goes to rehab

Josephine Jeptum, 54, a nurse stationed at Sergoit Dispensary in Uasin Gishu, told Eldoret Senior Resident Magistrate Beatrice Toroitich that she was no longer interested in pursuing legal action against her son, Kennedy Kibet Jeptum. 

The accused was a student at KMTC Eldoret campus, but dropped out of school. 

The court heard that the accused, who has been in custody at Eldoret GK Remand Prison, assaulted his mother on May 24, 2026, at Soin Village, while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

According to court documents, the dispute started after Kennedy asked his mother for her mobile phone to make calls. 

When she refused, he allegedly insulted her, then hit her several times with a piece of wood. He also accused her of reporting his relapse to his uncles.

The nurse sustained serious injuries and was treated at a nearby health facility before reporting the matter at Chepkanga Police Station. Police later arrested the suspect.

Jeptum asked the magistrate to acquit her son on condition that he agrees to be taken to a private rehabilitation facility on the outskirts of Eldoret.

The accused also pleaded for forgiveness and thanked his mother for dropping the charges.

Magistrate Toroitich acquitted Kennedy as requested by the complainant.  

However, she ordered that he be escorted to a rehabilitation facility with immediate effect to address his drug and alcohol addiction.