Police officer who shot husband 12 times jailed for 35 years

A police officer who shot her husband 12 times in October 2023 has been jailed for 35 years.

Lilian Biwott was convicted of shooting her husband at their rented house in Kimumu estate along the Eldoret-Iten highway, Uasin Gishu County.

In a statement on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) revealed that the officer, who was an administration police officer attached to the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit (CIPU), had been married to the deceased for 10 years, though their relationship was marked by frequent conflict.

“Lilian Biwott, the police officer who shot her husband 12 times on the night of October 9, 2023, at their rented house in Kimumu estate along the Eldoret-Iten highway, Uasin Gishu County, has been sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment,” ODPP stated.

In his ruling, Justice Nyakundi of the Eldoret Law Courts concurred with the prosecution’s submissions that the accused acted in a premeditated manner.

“The fact that she fired 12 shots, six of which struck the deceased, demonstrated intent to kill,” Justice Nyakundi ruled.

According to the judge, the statements of self-defence and provocation were inapplicable under the circumstances.

“At the time of the offence, Biwott, an Administration Police officer attached to the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit (CIPU), had been married to the deceased for 10 years, though their relationship was marked by frequent conflict,” ODPP added.

ODPP presented seven witnesses whose testimonies in court to pin down the convict.