A Meru man has been convicted and sentenced to death for robbery with violence on Thursday.
Timothy Gikundi was accused of robbing a 73-year-old woman on March 15, 2016, at Kiathandi village, Runogone location.
Meru Senior resident magistrate Evans Mbicha said the offence is contrary to section 296 of the penal code.
Mbicha said the prosecution's five witnesses had proven beyond reasonable doubt the accused was guilty of the offence.
"The accused has been found guilty that on March 15, 2016, at Kiathandi village, Runogone location, Meru town in Imenti North district while armed with dangerous weapon namely Panga, robbed Hellen Kaimenyi Sh23, 000, two handbags containing personal documents and a sword all valued at Sh 3800," Mbicha said.
Gikundu had denied the charges and released to Sh200, 000 bail.
Magistrate Mbicha noted that during the cross-examination the complainant and the witnesses including her 13-year-old grandchild could recognize the accused.
They could also identify the complainant's belongings which were recovered in the accused house during police arrests.
The 13-year-old witness told the court that the offence occurred at around 3:00 am in the night.
She said the accused's torch was strong enough to light the whole house.
"He told grandmother that if it were not for her grandchildren he could have killed her,' the minor told the court during cross-examination.
Ms Kaimenyi, a widow, testified that she was asleep in her bed and was suddenly slapped on her face with the side of a Panga.
She said that the accused asked her to give him the money she had withdrawn from M-pesa.
Ms Kaemenyi said when she declined and told the accused she had given the money to her son, he threatened to kill her.
She then agreed and proceeded to fetch the money for the accused.
The accused then took her late husband's sword and her Safaricom wallet which had the money.
Mbicha, after reading to the accused the above section ruled,"I sentence the accused to death as provided in law. He has 14 days to appeal."