The Couple was Scheduled to Meet at the Kadhi’s Court to Finalise Their Divorce
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A tragic incident in Pongwe-Kikoneni village, Lunga Lunga, Kwale County, has left the community in mourning following the brutal murder of 29-year-old Tima Shabani at the hands of her husband Alfani Mwakutanga.
The fatal attack occurred early Thursday morning when Mwakutanga reportedly arrived at Shabani's residence, claiming to return one of their two children. Witnesses describes a violent altercation that escalated in Shabani's room, leading to the husband allegedly stabbing her in the chest. The attack resulted in severe bleeding, and Shabani was pronounced dead upon arrival at Msambweni Referral Hospital. In a bid to intervene, Shabani's sister Saumu Shabani suffered stab wounds to her hand, while two other individuals sustained injuries while attempting to assist.
"I had stepped outside to start preparing breakfast when I heard screams from my sister’s room. When I rushed in, I found him sitting on the bed assaulting my sister. When I tried to stop him, he turned on me and stabbed me on the hand three times before fleeing," says Saumu Shabani, the deceased’s sister.
The couple was scheduled to meet at the Kadhi’s Court the following day to finalize their divorce. This was prompted by a history of abuse within their relationship. Shaban Ndume, the victim’s father, expresses profound grief and calls for justice while regretting the longstanding suffering his daughter endured. Kwale Woman Representative Fatuma Masito has condemned the murder, noting the tragic timing of the event during the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
"We keep hearing about such cases, and it’s heart breaking that a man can kill his wife. It is even worse when such an incident is happened during the global 16 Days of Activism campaign against Gender-Based Violence," she says.
She emphasizes the need for increased action and awareness in combating this societal issue. Lunga Lunga Sub County Police Commander Francis Mwangi confirmed that a manhunt has been launched for Mwakutanga, with the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) actively involved in the case. Mwangi acknowledges that the suspect has gone into hiding but reassures the community that efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend him.