By Clinton Ochieng
The Kenya Wildlife Service has been ordered by A High Court in Chuka to pay the estate of Josphat Karii Njeru over 4 million Shillings as compensation for his death.
Jediel Murithi Njeru had sued KWS as the legal representative of Karii’s estate. Karii is said to have been killed by a stray elephant on May 1, 2017.
In a judgment delivered on April 11, 2019, the Principal Magistrate’s Court dismissed the case, forcing Murithi to file an appeal.
Justice Robert Kipkoech Limo set aside the earlier decision by the Senior Principal Magistrate’s Court in Marimati that dismissed Jediel Murithi Njeru.
“This court entered judgment for the appellant at 5 million Shillings less 20 percent liability that reduced the figure by one million. The appellant is therefore awarded 4 million Shillings plus special damages of 45,000 Shillings,” read the judgment.
The judge noted that KWS has not denied liability but resorted to technicalities as an excuse for not compensating the family.
Even though the compensation comes late to the family, hopes of some kind of justice through the court system might help them cope with the loss of their loved one who did not deserve to go in such a gruesome way.
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