Senior Principal Magistrate David Odhiambo handed down a ten‑year custodial sentence to former Kenya Commercial Bank employee Hannington Muthoka after finding him guilty of attempted murder.

The conviction stems from a September 25, 2023 incident in which Muthoka allegedly stabbed schoolteacher Elizabeth Shigari three times, leaving a knife lodged in her body.

Shigari survived a collapsed lung and later filed an affidavit urging the court to impose the maximum penalty, rejecting any out‑of‑court settlement.

During the trial, Muthoka claimed the injuries were accidental, alleging Shigari had picked up a knife from her bag during a struggle, and presented photos and messages to suggest the relationship was ongoing.

The magistrate dismissed Muthoka’s defence, noting the nature and extent of the wounds indicated a clear intent to kill, and referenced a pre‑sentence report and victim‑impact assessment.

While the Penal Code allows life imprisonment for attempted murder, the court exercised discretion, balancing retribution, deterrence and rehabilitation, and set the term at ten years, to be counted from the judgment date.

Both the prosecution and defence were granted a 14‑day window to lodge an appeal against the sentence.

Muthoka’s lawyer, Mr Olaba, indicated that the defendant had contributed KSh 200,000 toward Shigari’s medical expenses and offered an apology, though no settlement was reached.