How Mombasa Banker Lured Ex-Lover With Shopping, Drinks Before Knife Attack

A Mombasa court has convicted banker Hannington Muthoka of attempted murder after he stabbed his former lover, Elizabeth Shigari Bana, three times, leaving a knife blade lodged in her back.

In a statement on Monday, September 28, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said Muthoka was found guilty of attempting to unlawfully cause the death of Bana on September 25, 2023, at Port Reitz in Changamwe, Mombasa County.

"A Mombasa court has convicted a banker of attempted murder after he stabbed his former lover three times, leaving a knife blade lodged in her back," the statement read.

Muthoka had denied the charge but Senior Resident Magistrate David Odhiambo found that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The court heard that Bana, a teacher at Changamwe Secondary School, had been romantically involved with Muthoka, whom she met while working at the KCB Changamwe branch.

On September 25, 2023, Muthoka picked Bana up after asking to meet and discuss their relationship before driving towards Nyali for shopping. 

They bought beauty products before proceeding to a club in Bamburi, where they had food and drinks as Muthoka reminded her of their good times.

The meeting later took a different turn after Muthoka attempted to revive their relationship, according to evidence presented in court. 

Bana declined, and when she asked to be taken home to Mikindani, he instead drove towards Changamwe.

"He sought to rekindle their relationship, but Ms. Bana declined. When she later asked to be dropped home in Mikindani, Muthoka instead drove towards Changamwe," the statement added.

Muthoka then took Bana to a secluded area in Bahati, Port Reitz, where he demanded sex. She refused, got out of the vehicle and ran away screaming.

Muthoka chased after her and caught up with her before stabbing her three times in the back. 

Two men who were nearby testified that they saw the pair struggling before Muthoka entered his vehicle and sped away.

The two men found Bana bleeding, with a knife lodged in her back. She told them that her former boyfriend had stabbed her before they rushed her to Port Reitz Hospital.

"The two men rushed her to Port Reitz Hospital before she was referred to Aga Khan Hospital, where she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and underwent emergency surgery to remove the knife," the statement added.

A clinical officer classified Bana's injuries as maim.

Evidence presented before the court showed that the knife had penetrated her left lung, causing it to collapse, while a surgeon also confirmed the location of the blade.

"A clinical officer classified her injuries as maim, while evidence showed the knife had penetrated her left lung, causing it to collapse. A surgeon also confirmed the blade's location," the statement further read.

Forensic analysis further found human blood on the knife, grass and clothes, with DNA matching Bana's buccal swab.

In his sworn defence, Muthoka claimed that he and Bana remained lovers until the incident and had travelled to Dubai together. 

He produced photographs, visas, M-PESA receipts and WhatsApp messages in support of his account.

Muthoka also claimed that Bana produced a knife from her shopping bag and stabbed herself during a struggle as he attempted to disarm her.

The magistrate rejected Muthoka's defence after considering the evidence presented during the trial and found that the evidence established his responsibility for the attack.

The court also considered the nature and severity of the injuries suffered by Bana in determining Muthoka's intention during the attack.

"The magistrate said the nature and severity of Ms. Bana's injuries demonstrated an intention to take away her life," the statement noted.

The matter will be mentioned on October 12, 2026, for mitigation, prosecution sentencing submissions and a victim impact statement from the complainant.

Elsewhere, new evidence has emerged in the murder trial of Sarah Wairimu Kamotho following the testimony of three prosecution witnesses at the High Court of Kenya at Kibera.

The ODPP on Monday continued presenting its case against Wairimu, who is charged with the murder of her late husband, Dutch businessman Tob Cohen.

In a statement, the ODPP said three witnesses, including two police officers and a civilian, appeared before Lady Justice Diana Kavedza as the prosecution continued presenting evidence concerning the events surrounding Cohen’s disappearance and death.

Police Constable Stanley Kanyile testified about a distress call received on July 19, 2019, which prompted him and other officers to visit Cohen’s residence in Spring Valley.

Kanyile told the court that upon arriving at the residence, the officers encountered three men dressed in civilian clothes and Wairimu, who reported that she was in distress.

Inspector of Police Joseph Maina, a former Officer Commanding Station at Parklands Police Station, also testified about a police visit to Cohen’s residence following an assault complaint.

Maina told the court that Cohen informed the officers that his wife had assaulted him and directed them to a room where he said Wairimu had locked herself.

"The officers received no response and could not establish whether she was inside. The team subsequently returned to the station to pursue the procedure of issuing summons. The visit was booked under OB 37/19/7/19, with the return booked under OB 41/19/7/2019," the statement read.

The prosecution also called Shilindwa Shihemi, a former gardener and housekeeper at the couple’s Lower Kabete residence, who testified about events he witnessed while working at the home between 2018 and 2019.

Shihemi recounted a February 2019 incident involving Cohen and Wairimu, during which he said Cohen was bleeding and asked him to photograph his injuries.

"He also testified about his return to the residence on 22 July 2019 and subsequent events surrounding Cohen’s disappearance and death, including learning that Cohen’s body had been found in a septic tank," the statement added.

The matter is scheduled to continue on September 29, 2026, when the ODPP is expected to present additional witnesses in support of its case.