This archive report was first published on 14 August 2019.
On August 16 and 17, 2018, a tragic incident occurred at the couple's home in Muthinga shopping centre, Tetu sub-county, where Emily Mukiri stabbed her 34-year-old husband Francis Mukio multiple times in the abdomen and face with a kitchen knife.
According to the facts of the incident, Mukio had gone home drunk at around 1am, leading to a confrontation with his wife. The confrontation escalated, and Mukiri picked up the knife, stabbing Mukio multiple times.
After leaving Mukio bleeding in the house, Mukiri went to the local shopping centre. Hours later, Mukio received a phone call from a police officer, informing him that his wife had been arrested for disorderly conduct and that he should bail her out. However, Mukio informed the officer that she had also assaulted him and left him for dead.
Unfortunately, Mukio succumbed to his stab injuries at Nyeri County Referral Hospital. Emily Mukiri pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter, which was reduced from murder after a plea bargain with the prosecution.
During the sentencing, Justice Abigael Mshila considered the Victim Impact Report, which highlighted Mukiri's history of being battered by Mukio. The report also indicated that Mukio had a history of drug abuse.
However, in her ruling, Justice Mshila stated that the crime committed could only be deemed as unfortunate as a life was lost. The judge also said that the accused deserved a custodial sentence, and as such, sentenced Mukiri to 30 years in jail.
