A Kisii court on Monday sentenced Alex Ochogo, the main suspect in the bizarre incident that saw the gouging of the eyes of baby Junior Sagini, to 40 years in prison.
Ochogo, a cousin to Sagini, was found guilty of the offence by Kisii Senior Resident Magistrate Christine Ogweno, who said the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that he gouged the eyes of baby Sagini between December 13 and December 14, 2022.
SRM Ogweno also handed his two accomplices, Pacifica Nyakerario (aunt) and Rael Mayaka (grandmother), to 10 and 5 years’ imprisonment, respectively.
The court found the two suspects guilty of aiding in the offence that sparked uproar and condemnation nationwide.
While delivering the judgement, Ogweno said the crime was inhuman and was committed in grossly degrading circumstances, and the perpetrators had to be severely punished, taking into consideration that the child would need to learn a totally new way of life.
She noted that baby Sagini cannot pursue certain professions in future because his sight cannot be restored.
“Considering the discourse above, the third accused person is sentenced to serve five years in prison, while the second accused person will serve 10 years in prison. However, for the first accused, who was the person behind the offence here, he is sentenced to 40 years imprisonment,” said Ogweno.
Baby Sagini was found in a maize plantation with his eyes plucked off at Ikuruma village, Marani Sub County, on December 14, 2022.
The minor, who had accompanied other children to fetch water from a nearby spring, failed to return home the previous day, prompting his family to begin searching for him.
The now-four-year-old has recovered well after undergoing a surgical operation and is under state protection.
By Dedan Mwembi and Mercy Osongo
