- The late Lawyer Willie Kimani’s widow, Hannah Wanjiku Gitwiria, turned down Stephen Leliman’s offer of condolences for his son, murderer Fredrick Leliman, on Friday, February 10.
Willie Kimani’s wife and taxi driver Joseph Muiruri’s sister both appeared on Citizen TV and denied the relatives of condemned criminals’ requests for pardon.
The two did not find the apology to be impressive, observing that it indicated the initial offenders had little regret for their conduct.
“While I lost my husband, the Kimani family lost a brother, and they steadfastly refused to acknowledge their error up until judgment day. I disagree with that apologies “As Hannah said.
The sister of cab driver Joseph Muiruri questioned why Leliman’s family was publicly apologizing for their son’s crimes while the perpetrator had never done so.
“What is the point of asking for an apology when the person who killed my brother has never accepted the fact that he is the one who killed the three victims?” She posed.
In 2016, Willie Kimani, his client Josphat Mwenda, and their cab driver Joseph Muiruri were brutally murdered. The victims’ family described the heartbreaking conditions that their families had to face.
In response to the verdict rendered on Friday, February 3, 2023, Stephen pleaded with the kin of the murdered people to pardon his son and his family. Fredrick received a death sentence.
“I was very much shocked when I hear what my son had done because growing up, he never did anything bad to anyone. I simply never expected him to do such a thing in his entire life,” Leliman’s father expressed his remorse.
Stephen asked the relatives of the victims for their forgiveness, noting that he does not intend to in any way challenge Justice Jessie Lessit’s decision.
“I can’t say much because I do not have the strength. Let me leave it to God who knows what happened on the fateful night. All I can do is apologise to the victims and their relatives.
“I would also like to apologise to Kenyans and ask well-wishers to help this young man appeal his case at the Court of Appeal,” he added.
On the other hand, Leliman’s mother, Eunice Leliman, argued in favor of her son’s honesty by pointing out that he took his responsibilities seriously.
Eunice urged the government to overturn the death sentence and free his son from the noose of the hangman.
“My child was kind. I ask the court to release him,” Leliman’s mother pleaded.
For the murder of human rights attorney Willie Kimani, his client, and their driver, Justice Jessie Lessit sentenced the first defendant, Fredrick Leliman, to death, the second defendant, Stephen Cheburet, to 30 years in prison, the third defendant, Sylvia Wanjiku, to 24 years in prison, and the fifth defendant, Peter Ngugi, to 20 years in prison.
