Baringo: Man handed 10-year jail term for being in possession of AK-47 rifle

A man believed to be a bandit has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after he was found guilty of being in possession of an AK-47 rifle and ammunition at Chepilat village in Tiaty East, Baringo County.

Appearing before Senior Resident Magistrate Edwin Mulochi, 27-year-old Lotubet Eriodo was convicted of the offence of being in possession of a firearm contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act.

“I have considered the facts that the accused has been in custody since June 27, 2022. I also note from the record that he is a first offender, however, this offence fetches a life sentence on convicts,” Mulochi stated.

Lotubet was arrested by police officers based at Loruk police station after a tip-off from members of the public who alleged that he was an accomplice in most of the deadly cross-border stock theft attacks within the Tiaty East sub-county.

Following his arrest, Lotubet led police to a thicket away from Chepilat centre the officers recovered the firearm, three spent cartridges and 25 rounds of ammunition.

The prosecution presented three witnesses to testify against the accused before magistrate Mulochi.