Machakos University student handed 25-year jail term over brutal murder of 15-year-old girl

A fourth-year student at Machakos University has been sentenced to 25 years behind bars for murdering a 15-year-old girl in Naivasha five years ago.

High Court Judge Grace Nzioka described the evidence against 22-year-old Fredrick Mwonjoria as overwhelming, adding that his actions were filled with malice.

Mwonjoria, who was a student at Nanyuki High School when the incident occurred, was charged with the murder of Valerian Njeri on November 28, 2019, in Mirera Estate, Naivasha.

The two were neighbours in the estate, which is home to many flower farm workers.

Mwonjoria, who was 17 years old at the time, reportedly attacked the girl with a knife after luring her into his home. Njeri’s body was later found dumped outside the accused's gate, with blood traces leading into his room, where the murder weapon and bloodied clothes were recovered.

While sentencing Mwonjoria, the judge stated that his actions, though he was a minor at the time, were beastly and thus warranted a custodial sentence.

She noted that, based on previous cases, death or life sentences were ruled out because the accused was a minor when the incident occurred, but a custodial sentence was necessary.

Nzioka added that she had considered the mitigation presented by the defense, which called for leniency because the accused was a minor when the incident occurred. However, the fact that the accused hid the body under his bed and shared dinner with his family as if nothing had happened painted a troubling picture.

Further, the judge said there was malice involved since Mwonjoria stabbed the Form Two student 12 times, with most of her injuries being on the neck and forehead, signs that the accused had the full intention of killing the girl.

While delivering the sentence, Nzioka stated that Mwonjoria could continue his education in prison, noting that many inmates had successfully improved their lives while incarcerated.

After the ruling, the girl's father, John Ndunu, said the five-year wait had severely impacted his family mentally, spiritually and financially.