In making the ruling, Justice Joel Ngugi reduced the three-year sentence to two years, ruling that Mr James Mukangu will serve his one and two-year jail terms handed for the two charges preferred against him concurrently.

Justice Ngugi also noted Chief Magistrate Bernard Mararo had made an error in giving Mr Kimani a fine of Sh50,000 instead of Sh10,000 for the second count.

Slaughter

The accused was charged with slaughtering and selling cat meat to unsuspecting customers on June 24 in Nakuru town.

In the charge sheet it stated that he slaughtered a cat for human consumption contrary to the Foods, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act.

Gap in market

James Mukangu also faced another charge of slaughtering an animal in an undesignated place contrary to meat control regulations.

In his defence he said he started the business after he “identified a gap in the market”.