Former Laikipia North MP Lempurkel Sentenced To One Year In Jail For Assaulting Female Colleague

NAIROBI,Kenya, Nov, 5 – Justice has been served close to 6 years later following an infamous incident that saw former Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel assault current MP Sarah Korere back in 2016.

Lempurkel stood accused of willfully and unlawfully assaulting Sarah Korere by slapping her on her left cheek on November 21, 2016 at Harambee House in Nairobi county.

Appearing before Senior Principal magistrate Hellen Onkwani,he was sentenced to 1-year imprisonment without an alternative of a fine.

“I have also considered the fact that the accused person is a first offender but I note that the accused is a leader who should be a good example to others. I hereby proceed to sentence the accused person to serve 1-year imprisonment,” ruled Onkwani.

While issuing her ruling, Senior Principal magistrate Hellen Onkwani said that the prosecution had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the legislator was guilty of assault and causing actual bodily harm.

This was contrary of  section 251 of the penal code.

In his defence, Lempurkel’s counsel sought to defend his client arguing that issues that was raised during the submission were not raised in the pleadings.

The legislators was referring to the two’s political rivalry.

He also sought to point out that the alleged incident was not captured by any CCTV cameras.

Senior Principal magistrate Onkwani however dismissed the allegation saying it is well know fact no cameras were in the boardroom where the incident took place.

“The CCTV was at the corridor but the offence was committed in the boardroom and not in the corridor and such the said CCTV would have been immaterial  consideration of this case,” she said.

Despite claims of Lempurkel himself being a victim during the incident, the court revealed that the legislator failed to submit a P3 form and medical documents despite being issued to him by the investigating officer.

Both Korere and Lempurkel received the form from the ivestigsting officer.

“The accused was given an opportunity to defend himself but he did not avail medical document,”

The legislator can now appeal the ruling within 14 days.