By Dorothy Musyoka
In a landmark judgment, the High Court in Murang’a has convicted Ezekiel Saitabu Nakola of the murder of Grace Wangari Mwangi, a crime committed on March 20, 2017, in Karega Sub-Location, Kigumo Location, Kigumo Sub-County.
“The High Court in Murang’a has convicted Ezekiel Saitabu Nakola of the offence of murder of Grace Wangari Mwangi. The offence occurred on 20th March 2017 at Karega Sub-Location, Kigumo Location, Kigumo Sub-County within Murang’a County,” stated the ODPP.
Justice Kanyi Kimondo delivered the ruling after finding the prosecution’s evidence, presented by Ms. AnnPenny Gakumu and Ms. Caroline Muriu, sufficient to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court heard from twelve witnesses, detailing the tragic circumstances under which Nakola, who had been employed by the deceased for ten years as a farmhand, committed the heinous act.
On the day of the murder, Nakola strangled Mwangi and buried her body behind a cowshed, cleverly concealing it under a heap of sand and banana stems where a cow carcass had been buried a few days prior.
In an attempt to cover up his crime, Nakola continued to steal from Mwangi’s MPESA account and took household items to his girlfriend’s house in Karega, Murang’a County.
“The court heard that the accused had been employed by Grace Wangari Mwangi, mother to Bishop Muiru, as her farmhand, a position he held for 10 years. On the fateful day, the accused had strangled the deceased and buried her behind the cowshed, where the carcass of a cow had been buried a few days earlier. The top was covered with a heap of sand and banana stems. In an attempt to cover up, he continued to steal from her MPESA account and household items from his girlfriend’s house in Karega, Murang’a County,” the ODPP explained.
Despite the absence of eyewitnesses or an admissible confession, the prosecution successfully demonstrated that the evidence formed a complete chain linking Nakola to the murder.
Justice Kimondo affirmed that all the ingredients of murder had been proven beyond reasonable doubt.
The matter will be mentioned on 19/9/2024 when it comes up for sentencing.