MOMBASA, Kenya — A banker has been convicted of attempted murder after stabbing his former lover three times and leaving a knife blade lodged in her back in Mombasa.
Hannington Muthoka was found guilty of attempting to unlawfully cause the death of Elizabeth Shigari Bana on September 25, 2023, at Port Reitz in Changamwe.
Muthoka had denied the charge under Section 220(a) of the Penal Code, but Senior Resident Magistrate David O. Odhiambo found that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Barbara Sombo called 10 witnesses during the trial.
The court heard that Bana, a teacher at Changamwe Secondary School, had previously been romantically involved with Muthoka, whom she met while working at the KCB Changamwe branch.
On the day of the attack, Muthoka picked Bana up after asking to meet and discuss their relationship. He drove her towards Nyali, where they bought beauty products before proceeding to a club in Bamburi for food and drinks.
According to the evidence presented in court, Muthoka used the outing to remind Bana of their past relationship and attempted to rekindle it, but she declined.
When Bana later asked to be taken home to Mikindani, Muthoka instead drove towards Changamwe and took her to a secluded location in Bahati, Port Reitz.
The court heard that Muthoka demanded sex, but Bana refused and got out of the vehicle before running away while screaming for help.
Muthoka chased her and caught up with her before stabbing her three times in the back.
Two men who were nearby told the court they saw the pair struggling before Muthoka returned to his vehicle and sped away.
They found Bana bleeding heavily, with a knife lodged in her back. She told them that her former boyfriend had stabbed her.
The two men rushed her to Port Reitz Hospital, from where she was referred to Aga Khan Hospital.
Bana was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and underwent emergency surgery to remove the knife.
A clinical officer classified her injuries as maim, while medical evidence showed that the knife had penetrated her left lung, causing it to collapse. A surgeon also confirmed the location of the blade.
DNA Evidence Links Knife To Victim
Forensic analysis detected human blood on the knife, grass and clothing recovered in connection with the incident.
DNA testing established a match between the blood on the exhibits and Bana’s buccal swab.
In his sworn defence, Muthoka maintained that the two remained lovers until the incident and claimed they had previously travelled to Dubai together.
He produced photographs, visas, M-Pesa records and WhatsApp messages in support of his defence.
Muthoka further claimed that Bana had produced a knife from her shopping bag and stabbed herself during a struggle as he tried to disarm her.
The magistrate rejected the defence, finding that the evidence placed responsibility for the attack on Muthoka.
Hon. Odhiambo said the nature and severity of Bana’s injuries demonstrated an intention to take away her life.
Muthoka was consequently convicted under Section 215 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The case will return to court on October 12, 2026, for mitigation, prosecution sentencing submissions and a victim impact statement from Bana.
The court will then consider the appropriate sentence following the conviction.
