In a chilling case that shocked the legal fraternity, the Machakos High Court has sentenced Nigerian national Christian Baledi Kadima, alias Erick Kambaye Katalayi, to 40 years in prison for the murder of his Kenyan fiancée, Advocate Elizabeth Koki Musyoki.
Justice Francis Rayola Olel delivered the verdict after finding Kadima guilty of murder, in violation of Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code. The tragic incident occurred on January 7, 2021, at Ferndale Court in Syokimau, Athi River Sub-County.
Testimonies presented in court painted a harrowing picture of the night. According to the house help, loud altercations erupted from the couple’s bedroom before Kadima was seen leaving in a hurry, visibly shaken. Elizabeth’s body was found the following morning with blood-stained pillows over her face.
A post-mortem by Government Pathologist Dr. Johansen Odour confirmed the cause of death as asphyxia due to suffocation. Bruising around the neck and internal injuries pointed to a violent struggle.
Kadima denied the charges during his arraignment on February 9, 2021, but the prosecution, led by Mr. Dennis Mang’are and Ms. Mary Otulo, presented 14 witnesses, conclusively proving his guilt.
Justice Olel described the murder as cruel and senseless, emphasizing the need for harsh penalties in crimes involving gender-based violence. The judgment has been welcomed by many as a win for justice and women’s rights.
Kadima now begins a long prison term behind bars for a crime that cut short the life of a rising legal star.
