Man Who Chopped Off Son’s Hand Sent to Jail

James Kariuki

13 May 2011

Nairobi — A man who cut his wife on the face, chopped off her thumb and then hacked off his son’s hand, on Friday started a 35-year jail term.

Peter Kuria Kairu was also ordered to pay his wife, Ann Wairimu Sh500,000 and Sh250,000 to his son, Wycliffe Kairu as compensation.

He was further ordered to provide money for artificial limbs for his wife and son.

Forgiven him

But Kairu’s wife, 21-year-old Wairimu, asked the Nyahururu court not to jail her husband saying she had forgiven him, they had reconciled and they recently had a baby girl.

Ms Wairimu, who spent a week in a coma at Nyahururu District Hospital after the attack on September 30 last year at Site Phase Two Estate, told the court that they had resolved to raise their son together.

She said they wanted to provide him with love to ensure he leads a happy life.

Kairu asked for mercy from Principal magistrate Teresiah Matheka whom she told that if he was jailed, his newly re-united family would be plunged into problems as they lived in a rented house.

He further said his wife was still recuperating after she gave birth two months ago.

Mr Kairu, who was represented by lawyer Chege Gakuhi, pleaded for leniency, saying he and his wife had reunited and had been blessed with a baby girl, adding that he was the sole breadwinner of his family.

But chief inspector Frederick Makapila said the court had no powers to allow reconciliation in such a serious case especially because the boy, Wycliffe, was a minor.

Magistrate Matheka ruled that Kairu must be kept away from his wife and children “to cool off his uncontrollable anger” that made him commit the horrendous act.

District probation officer Jason M’Meli Abukuse had earlier issued a social inquiry report stating that Mr Kairu had uncontrollable anger, which he feared could recur if he was allowed to go home and continue living with his wife, son and a newly born girl.

He had assaulted his family following a domestic dispute.

“Facts are too loud. You were angry and armed yourself with a sharp panga then you pursued your wife to her cousin Judy Nduta’s house.

Can love be so strong?

“When she declined to return to your house you cut her on the face, chopped off her thumb and chopped off your son’s hand,” said the magistrate.

She said there was strong evidence showing that Kairu was the one who attacked his wife and dismissed his defence that he was attacked by angry residents who had mistaken him for a thief.

“Can love be so strong for one to cause permanent injury to his wife and an innocent child who will live asking his mother, father and society why his father attacked them?” asked the magistrate.

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