Fury of a scorned woman

By Wahome Thuku

Njogu and Ngina had lived as husband and wife for 20 years on a farm in Nyahururu. They had employed two farm workers, Mwiti and Mugambi.

Ngina also operated a transport business in Nairobi. The relationship between the couple grew sour in 2000 after Njogu began a love affair with another woman, Monicah.

This infuriated Ngina so much that she sent friends and relatives to warn the husband about his relationship with Monicah.

Njogu expressed fears to Monicah that Ngina was trailing him. The couple stopped sharing matrimonial bed. Njogu became so depressed and even contemplated suicide.

new employees

One day in July 2004, after having dinner with their two employees at around 9pm, Njogu went to bed. That same night he disappeared. The wife was not in the house during dinner.

The following day, Ngina and the two employees carried on with the farm duties. Ngina said she tried calling Njogu on his mobile phone but the calls went unanswered. Later in the day she differed with the two workers and they quit.

After four days, Njogu was still missing. Ngina informed his brother. She said she was aware that Njogu had taken a Sh25,000 loan and was spending the money with Monicah.

Ngina then called Njogu’s sister in Nairobi to inform her of her husband’s disappearance. The sister reported at a police station in Nairobi but was referred to Nyahururu. She went there the following day accompanied by Monicah.

Police visited Njogu’s house with another man called Ben. She showed them Njogu’s wallet, mobile phone and other documents he had left behind. For two days police conducted a thorough search including digging up some areas, checking the septic tank and draining water wells but all in vain.

Strong defence

Njogu’s disappearance was announced in local and international media.

In September the same year, Ngina hired two new farm workers Irungu and Gathitu.

One day in October 2004, as Gathitu was chasing ducks in the homestead he stepped on the cover of a manhole tank and it tilted. He saw a piece of cloth in the hole and on looking closer, a shocking image hit his eyes. There was a human body lying in the tank.

Ngina was then on a business trip in Nairobi. When she returned the following day, the workers reported what they had seen.

The workers claimed later that she attempted to ‘buy’ their silence with Sh100,000.

But Gathitu reported his findings to police. The decomposed body was retrieved and Ngina identified it as that of her husband. It was taken to Nairobi City Mortuary where a postmortem revealed that the man had died of chest injuries caused by a blunt object.

Ngina and Ben were arrested and charged with murder.

A forensic expert conducted analysis on some body parts but died before giving evidence.

Fifteen witnesses testified but none had seen the two committing the offence. Ngina said she had stopped sharing bed with Njogu as he used to bring Monicah to their house. She denied having killed the husband saying their former workers might have done it.

She said on the material day, she woke up from her room and realised that Njogu had left his key on the door. One of the workers told her that Njogu had gone to meet his wife in town.

In September 2007, the High Court in Nyeri delivered its verdict. What would be your verdict?

 

 

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