Maurice Muthee, a casual laborer, recalled that his friend George Okoth, a carpenter, was killed on a fateful Sunday around 5 p.m. in Munyaka estate on the outskirts of Eldoret town.
Muthee told the packed court that the woman, whom he said he knew, was aided by three young men who held the deceased’s hands while she beat him on the head.
“I witnessed the accused, Nancy Waithera, clobbering my friend on the head three times for allegedly refusing to pay for the githeri she had served him,” Muthee told Justice Reuben Nyakundi.
Muthee was giving testimony in a case in which Nancy Waithera denied murdering George Okoth on the evening of August 9, 2020, at Munyaka estate in Ainabkoi sub-county, Uasin Gishu County.
The owner of the carpentry shop where the deceased used to work, Pastor Henry Kamau, told the court how he stumbled on his employee as he lay down writhing in agony.
“On that material day, I was walking home from church when I noticed George laying down on the road, unable to walk. I asked him what was wrong, and he told me that Nancy had beaten him on the head,” the clergyman stated.
He testified in court that he lifted the deceased and assisted him in walking to his house, which is located a few meters away from the informal settlement area.
The pastor told the court that this occurred after the slain carpenter refused to go to the hospital for treatment, claiming that he preferred to rest at home while his condition was monitored.
“Five hours after we parted ways, I received a phone call from a friend informing me that George had died as a result of his injuries in his home. It was around 9 p.m. at the time,” he informed the Judge.
Mark Mugun, the state’s counsel, told the court that he had only two witnesses left: an investigation officer and a pathologist from Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
“Your honour, I beg you to grant me more time so that I can summon them to court and have them testify in relation to this murder case,” Mugun said.
Justice Nyakundi postponed the case until November 6th for further proceedings.
