A Mombasa court has convicted banker Hannington Muthoka of attempted murder after he stabbed his former lover, Elizabeth Shigari Bana, three times in the back, leaving a knife lodged in her body.
Muthoka was found guilty of attempting to unlawfully cause Banaโs death on September 25, 2023, at Bahati in Port Reitz, Changamwe, Mombasa County.
Senior Resident Magistrate David O. Odhiambo found that the prosecution had proved the charge beyond reasonable doubt after Principal Prosecution Counsel Barbara Sombo called 10 witnesses during the trial.
Muthoka had denied the charge under Section 220(a) of the Penal Code.
Relationship dispute
The court heard that Bana, a teacher at Changamwe Secondary School, had previously been romantically involved with Muthoka after meeting him while working at the KCB Changamwe branch.
On September 25, 2023, Muthoka picked Bana up after asking to meet and discuss their relationship. He drove her towards Nyali, where they bought beauty products before going to a club in Bamburi for food and drinks.
According to the prosecution’s evidence, Muthoka reminded Bana of their relationship and sought to rekindle it, but she declined.
When Bana later asked to be taken home to Mikindani, the court heard that Muthoka instead drove towards Changamwe and took her to a secluded area in Bahati, Port Reitz.
The prosecution told the court that Muthoka demanded sex from Bana, which she refused. She then got out of the vehicle and ran away while screaming.
Muthoka chased her, caught up with her and stabbed her three times in the back.
Two men who were nearby testified that they saw the pair struggling before Muthoka returned to his vehicle and drove away.
The men found Bana bleeding, with a knife lodged in her back. She told them that her former boyfriend had stabbed her.
Knife pierced lung
The two men took Bana to Port Reitz Hospital, from where she was referred to Aga Khan Hospital. She was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and underwent emergency surgery to remove the knife.
A clinical officer classified her injuries as maim. Medical evidence presented in court showed that the knife had penetrated her left lung, causing it to collapse. A surgeon also confirmed the location of the blade.
Forensic evidence provided another link between the weapon and the victim. Analysis detected human blood on the knife, grass and clothing, with DNA matching Banaโs buccal swab.
The prosecution relied on the eyewitness, medical and forensic evidence to establish its case against Muthoka.
Court rejects defence
In his sworn defence, Muthoka maintained that he and Bana were still in a relationship when the incident occurred. He produced photographs, visas, M-Pesa receipts and WhatsApp messages, including material he said showed they had travelled to Dubai together.
He also claimed that Bana had produced a knife from her shopping bag and stabbed herself during a struggle as he attempted to disarm her.
The court rejected Muthokaโs account.
Magistrate Odhiambo held that the evidence established that Muthoka was responsible for the attack. The magistrate further found that the nature and severity of Banaโs injuries demonstrated an intention to take away her life.
Muthoka was convicted following the trial under Section 215 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which provides for a courtโs finding of guilt or acquittal after a trial.
The case has not yet reached sentencing. The court is scheduled to mention the matter on October 12, 2026, for mitigation, prosecution sentencing submissions and a victim impact statement from Bana.
The court will consider those submissions before determining the sentence.
