A Mombasa court has convicted Hannington Muthoka, a former employee of Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), of attempted murder. The conviction was delivered by Senior Resident Magistrate David O. Odhiambo on September 28, 2026. Muthoka was found guilty of stabbing his former girlfriend, Elizabeth Shigari Bana, three times during a violent attack on September 25, 2023. The court heard that Muthoka had met Bana, a teacher at Changamwe Secondary School, at the KCB Changamwe branch where he worked, and they later became involved in a relationship.
According to court proceedings, Bana had ended the relationship and was unwilling to reconcile. On the day of the attack, the two met at a club in Bamburi, where Muthoka reportedly attempted to persuade her to resume the relationship. After she declined and requested to be taken home to Mikindani, he allegedly drove her instead to a secluded area in Bahati, Port Reitz. There, Muthoka demanded intimacy, but Bana refused and fled from the vehicle.
Prosecutors told the court that Muthoka chased Bana down and stabbed her three times in the back, leaving a knife blade lodged in her body. The attack caused severe injuries, including a collapsed left lung after the blade penetrated her chest. Bana underwent emergency surgery at Aga Khan Hospital, with a clinical officer classifying her injuries as maiming. The prosecution presented evidence from 10 witnesses, including forensic experts who matched DNA found on the weapon to Bana.
In his defence, Muthoka presented WhatsApp messages, M-Pesa records, travel visas, and photographs from a Dubai holiday, arguing that they were still in a loving relationship and that the stabbing occurred accidentally during a struggle over a knife. However, the magistrate dismissed the explanation, citing the severity of the injuries and finding clear evidence of intent to kill. The court found that Muthoka's actions were premeditated and demonstrated a clear intention to cause harm.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Barbara Sombo called witnesses who testified that they witnessed the struggle and rushed Bana to hospital. The prosecution's evidence, including the DNA match and eyewitness accounts, was critical in securing the conviction. Muthoka's defence team failed to convince the court that the stabbing was accidental, and the magistrate's verdict reflected the weight of evidence presented.
The conviction marks a significant milestone in the case, which has drawn attention due to the severity of the attack and the defendant's former employment at a major Kenyan bank. Muthoka is scheduled to be sentenced on October 12, 2026. The court has yet to determine the appropriate sentence for the crime, but the conviction is expected to bring closure to the victim and her family.
The case highlights the issue of violence against women and the need for swift justice in such cases. The court's decision demonstrates that perpetrators of violence will be held accountable for their actions.
Key points
- Hannington Muthoka, a former KCB employee, was convicted of attempted murder for stabbing his ex-girlfriend three times.
- The court heard that Muthoka's actions were premeditated and demonstrated a clear intention to cause harm.
- Muthoka is scheduled to be sentenced on October 12, 2026.
