A Mombasa court has found Hannington Muthoka, a banker, guilty of attempted murder after attacking his ex-girlfriend, Elizabeth Shigari Bana, at Port Reitz in Changamwe, Mombasa County. The conviction was entered under Section 215 of the Criminal Procedure Code, with the magistrate ruling that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. Muthoka stabbed Bana three times in the back, leaving a knife blade lodged near her collapsed lung.
According to the court, Muthoka and Bana had spent the day together, visiting a club in Bamburi and purchasing beauty products, during which Muthoka had pushed to revive their romance. However, Bana rejected his advances, and when she requested to be driven home, Muthoka took a different route, eventually stopping in a secluded area where he demanded sex. Bana refused and fled the vehicle, screaming, and Muthoka pursued her, catching up with her and stabbing her three times in the back.
Two men in the vicinity witnessed the struggle and found Bana bleeding with the knife still lodged in her back. She identified her attacker to them as her former boyfriend. The two witnesses rushed Bana to Port Reitz Hospital, from where she was referred to Aga Khan Hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery in the ICU to remove the blade. Medical evidence confirmed the knife had penetrated her left lung, causing it to collapse.
Forensic analysis of the knife, grass, and clothing recovered at the scene detected human blood, with DNA matching Bana's profile. Muthoka denied the charge, arguing that the pair remained in a relationship at the time of the incident and had even travelled to Dubai together. He produced photographs, visa stamps, M-Pesa transaction records, and WhatsApp messages as supporting evidence.
However, Muthoka's defence was rejected by the court, with Senior Resident Magistrate Hon. David O. Odhiambo stating that the nature and severity of the injuries pointed clearly to an intention to kill. The magistrate found that the prosecution had presented a strong case, with Principal Prosecution Counsel Barbara Sombo presenting 10 witnesses during the trial.
The matter returns to court on October 12, 2026, for mitigation, prosecution sentencing submissions, and a victim impact statement from Bana. The court is expected to hear submissions from both the prosecution and the defence before delivering a sentence. Muthoka's actions have been widely condemned, and his conviction has been seen as a victory for justice.
The case highlights the issue of violence against women in Kenya, with many cases of domestic violence and assault being reported. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has been working to address the issue, and the conviction of Muthoka is seen as a step in the right direction. The case also underscores the importance of taking cases of domestic violence seriously and providing support to victims.
Key points
- Hannington Muthoka, a banker, has been convicted of attempted murder after stabbing his ex-girlfriend, Elizabeth Shigari Bana, three times in the back.
- The court found that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, and Muthoka's defence was rejected.
- The matter returns to court on October 12, 2026, for mitigation, prosecution sentencing submissions, and a victim impact statement from Bana.
