A Mombasa court has postponed the sentencing of banker Hannington Muthoka, who was convicted of attempting to murder his former lover, Elizabeth Shigari Bana, after stabbing her three times in the back in September 2023.
Senior Resident Magistrate David O. Odhiambo set November 6, 2026, for the next court session after the defence raised an issue concerning an affidavit introduced by the complainant’s side. The court directed both parties to examine the document before returning for a ruling on the matter, further delaying the determination of Muthoka’s punishment.
Muthoka was convicted of attempted murder following a trial in which the prosecution, led by Principal Prosecution Counsel Barbara Sombo, called 10 witnesses. The court heard that the attack occurred on September 25, 2023, in Bahati, Port Reitz, Changamwe, Mombasa County, after Muthoka picked up Bana, a teacher at Changamwe Secondary School, ostensibly to discuss their relationship.
According to evidence presented in court, the pair went shopping before visiting a club in Bamburi, where Muthoka reportedly sought to rekindle their romance. When Bana declined his advances and asked to be taken home to Mikindani, still within Mombasa County, he allegedly drove in the opposite direction to a secluded area in Port Reitz, where he demanded sex.
Bana reportedly fled after refusing his demand, but Muthoka chased and caught up with her before stabbing her three times in the back. Two men who witnessed the struggle rushed to her rescue and found her bleeding, with the knife blade still lodged in her body.
Bana was initially taken to Port Reitz Hospital before being referred to Aga Khan Hospital, where she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and underwent emergency surgery. Medical evidence established that the knife had penetrated her left lung, causing it to collapse, while a clinical officer classified her injuries as maim.
In his defence, Muthoka denied attempting to kill Bana, claiming she had stabbed herself during a struggle as he tried to disarm her. He presented photographs, visas, M-Pesa receipts and WhatsApp messages to support his account, including his claim that the two had travelled to Dubai together.
However, Magistrate Odhiambo rejected his explanation, finding that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The court further determined that the nature and severity of Bana’s injuries demonstrated Muthoka’s intention to take away her life, leading to his conviction under Section 215 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The court had been expected to proceed with sentencing after mitigation, prosecution submissions and consideration of a victim impact statement. The latest development means the case will return to court on November 6, when the issue surrounding the affidavit is expected to be addressed
