Former Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer Peter Mugure has said he will appeal his conviction on three counts of murder but will not challenge the sentence imposed by the High Court.
Justice Martin Muya sentenced Mugure to life imprisonment after convicting him of the murders of his wife, Joyce Syombua Maua, 31, and their two daughters.
The sentences will run concurrently.
Addressing the court before sentencing, Mugure said he respected the court's decision despite disagreeing with its findings and had instructed his lawyers to challenge only the convictions.
"For the record, my name is Major Mugure of the Kenya Defence Forces," he told the court.
"Your Lordship, you and I have walked step by step through this highly charged and emotive public criminal trial, right from PW1 to PW26 up to this very moment in time. I understand and fully appreciate the weight of expectations placed on the shoulders of Your Lordship in the hearing and determination of this matter."
"Having delivered a verdict of guilt on all three counts, I respect the decision of the court, for it presently legally binds me in ways no one can possibly imagine. Nevertheless, and with tremendous respect to the court, in principle I am unable to agree with the verdict."
Mugure said he had instructed his advocates not to contest the sentence but to focus on appealing the convictions.
"Your Lordship, it is for that reason that I have instructed my advocates not to challenge the legality or severity of whatever sentence you deem fit to impose on me, but to challenge only the convictions. And for that, Your Lordship, I thank you for your indulgence."
In sentencing him, Justice Muya said the court had considered Mugure's remarks but found he had shown no remorse.
"I have taken into consideration the words by the accused person, but however, he has not shown any iota of remorse. The offence of murder carries punishment of death. This was infanticide and femicide," the judge said.
"These are offences which have become very rampant in our country, and they call for severe punishment. I have gone through the impact assessment report and the court has taken into consideration that report. But the murders of the three accused persons, I find, were barbaric."
Justice Muya said the prosecution had sought the death penalty, but the court had considered the time Mugure had spent in custody before deciding on the sentence.
"The prosecution has called for death penalty. I am aware that the Muruatetu case has not made it illegal, but in the circumstances of this case, and bearing in mind the time the accused person has been in custody, I sentence him to life imprisonment. In respect of the three counts, this is a concurrent sentence."
The judge informed Mugure that he has 14 days to appeal the convictions.
