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A Kenya Forest Service (KFS) ranger who was found guilty of shooting to death a villager in Elgeyo Marakwet County he found harvesting firewood in a forest will spend seven years in prison.

The verdict against James Kiprotich was delivered by the Eldoret Presiding Judge Reuben Nyakundi in a session that took less than 10 minutes.

The convict was found guilty of killing Patrick Kibet on August 12, 2012, inside Chebiemit Forest while armed with G3 rifle in Marakwet West sub county, Elgeyo Marakwet County. He pleaded not guilty to the murder when he was arraigned in court.

During his mitigation, Kibet pleaded with the Judge to pardon him saying is diabetic and high blood pressure. He told the court that he normally visits a public hospital for check up every month noting that if jailed, he will not get proper medication while serving a sentence in prison.