A man who threatened to kill his employer for allegedly delaying to pay him his Sh384,000 salary has been sentenced to three years in jail.
Milimani chief magistrate Susan Shitubi jailed Zephaniah Kipkirui Cheruiyot after he pleaded guilty to threatening to kill Margaret Koech, his employer, on September 21.
The prosecution told the court that on September 21, 2023, Zephaniah caused his employer Magret Koech receive a threatening message.
"What is remaining is to inform the police that I chop your head unless you pay me my money Sh384,000, no less no more. I Zephaniah Kipkirui Cheruiyot so help me God," reads the text send to Koech.
The accused claimed that his employer had delayed his salary for years and although he was patient with her, she deliberately refused to pay him.
In mitigation, Kipkurui said he asked for mercy saying he was only acting under emotion claiming the employer persistently ignored him.
He prayed for a lenient sentence.
While sentencing him, the Magistrate took into consideration that the suspect was a first offender.
The court said cases of employees killing their employers have been on the rise hence a need to issue a deterring sentence.
"I have taken into consideration that he is a first offender. I have also taken his mitigation into consideration," the magistrate ruled.
"However, the cases of employees threatening to kill their employers have been rampant, this is a serious offence and the convict will serve three years in prison."
Kipkurui has 14 days to appeal.
