Written by Joyce Nzomo
Alloys Scovia, alias Angel, a Ugandan national, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter after fatally stabbing her neighbour, Francis Murenga alias Awilo, in Wesinya area of Reuben kwa Njenga slums, Makadara subcounty, Nairobi.
The particulars of the offence stated that on June 15, 2024, at about 7:00 pm, Scovia unlawfully killed Murenga.
The prosecution told the court that at around 6:00 pm on the material day, Scovia, Murenga, and another man known as Ezekiel Sifuna were drinking at a club in Wesinya. An argument arose between Scovia and Murenga, prompting Sifuna to leave them behind.
At about 7:00 pm, Scovia went to the business premises of Nyumba Kumi chairman, Kephas Otieno, who was seated outside with a woman identified as Carolyn Omwaka. She handed Kephas her phone, and on the line was a man who introduced himself as her husband. The man asked Kephas to warn Murenga against abusing his wife.
Moments later, Murenga confronted Kephas about what had been said. Kephas relayed the warning, but Scovia began hurling insults at Murenga before running to her house nearby. She returned armed with a knife hidden under her clothes.
A fight broke out between the two, during which Murenga pushed Scovia to the ground. She then stood up and stabbed him several times. Murenga began vomiting blood, fell and died on the spot.
Kephas who was close by began fighting with the accused and took the knife. A crowd that had already formed witnessing what was happening, and because there was light coming from the street light, they witnessed the accused attacking the deceased. The crowd began throwing stones at the accused and called her murderer. Otieno and Sifuna shielded her from mob justice and escorted her to Reuben Police Station, together with the murder weapon. Police later recovered Murenga’s body and took it to the City Mortuary.
Investigations followed, with the knife sent to the Government Chemist for analysis under an exhibit memo dated July 3, 2024. A postmortem was conducted at the City Mortuary on June 24, 2024.
Scovia was initially charged with murder at the Milimani High Court on July 9, 2024. On Monday, however, the charge was reduced to manslaughter, which she admitted to.
In his ruling, Justice Muteti said: “The accused person having admitted the facts as true and correct, this court finds you guilty of the offence of manslaughter and you are accordingly convicted.”
The investigating officer requested 14 days to establish whether Scovia has any previous criminal record. A probation report will also be submitted to guide the court on sentencing, after which the defence will be given a chance to mitigate.
