Former Kenya Sevens rugby player Alex Olaba has suffered a major legal setback after the High Court dismissed his appeal, upholding a six-year prison sentence for attempting to murder a witness in a gang-rape case.

In its ruling, the court affirmed that Olaba’s conviction was supported by compelling evidence, including recorded conversations and a cash deposit of Ksh 10,000, which served as a down payment for the planned killing.

The court heard that Olaba had promised to pay an additional Ksh 100,000 upon completion of the act.

“I found from the evidence that PW2 met PW3 and discussed the commission of the offence, which had been previously discussed with the appellant. PW3 was a police officer disguising as a hitman,” the judgment read in part.

The judge noted that the prosecution successfully proved the elements of conspiracy to commit murder, emphasizing that Olaba had actively participated in planning the crime.

The court also observed that the trial magistrate properly evaluated the evidence and gave due consideration to Olaba’s defense and mitigation before delivering the sentence.

“The sentence in all counts to run concurrently is fair,” the court concluded.

Olaba was first charged in 2021 after police uncovered his attempt to hire a hitman to eliminate a key witness in a separate gang-rape case involving himself and another former rugby player.

The dismissal of his appeal means Olaba will continue serving his six-year term handed down by the lower court, marking another dark chapter in what was once a promising rugby career with the national Sevens team, Shujaa.

ALSO READ: ‘The rich also cry’ – Mike Sonko reveals his daughter’s mental health condition