A wave of disbelief and outrage has swept through the Gitegi–Kabati community after a court ruling many are calling unprecedented — and devastating. In a verdict that has ignited fierce debate both online and on the ground, a single family has been sentenced to a combined 100 years in prison, fuelling fears of a “generation lost.”
Earlier this week, a magistrate’s court handed down a 20-year jail term to each of five family members: patriarch John Ritho and his four sons — Paul Kiboi, John (junior), Ken Wachira, and Evans Mutitu. The sentences will run concurrently, effectively wiping out the family’s adult generation from the community for the next two decades.
The case stems from a pub brawl that erupted about a year ago, an incident that began innocently enough with a disagreement over drinks but spiralled into violence. Prosecutors told the court that the altercation escalated into grievous harm, arguing that the group’s actions posed a serious threat to public safety and warranted a stiff sentence as a deterrent.
The defence, however, painted a very different picture — one of mistaken identity, false testimony, and a family unfairly swept up in a single narrative.
A visibly shaken John Ritho spoke after the ruling, struggling to comprehend the scale of the punishment.
“My sons were not there when this happened,” he said, insisting that key evidence had been ignored and alleging false testimony by the complainant.
“This sentence is shocking. We will appeal.”
His words have resonated far beyond the courtroom.
Since the verdict, social media has erupted, with Kenyans sharply divided. Some have applauded the court for taking a tough stance against alcohol-fuelled violence. Others say the punishment is excessive and cruel, arguing that it effectively condemns not just five men, but their wives, children, and dependents to years of hardship.
Local residents describe the ruling as a social catastrophe, warning that the absence of five adult men from one household will leave families broken and children growing up without fathers or providers.
“This is how communities lose a whole generation,” one resident lamented.
The case has reopened uncomfortable conversations about justice, proportionality, and the deadly consequences of bar-room disputes that too often end in prison — or worse.
For now, the Ritho family remains behind bars, their future hanging on the uncertain path of an appeal. Back in Gitegi–Kabati, the shock lingers, and a haunting question echoes: Did justice prevail — or did one moment of chaos erase an entire generation?
