Woman Faces Attempted Murder Charges After Attempting to Run Over Boyfriend's Wife

Businesswoman Nduta Wangai has been charged with attempted murder for engaging in a dispute with her boyfriend's wife in the couple's residence.

On January 5, 2024, an incident unfolded at the Ridgeways estate in Starehe Sub-county, Nairobi. Wangai, allegedly driven by anger, attempted to harm Rebecca Ngumi by using her car to run her over. Apart from the serious charge of attempted murder, Wangai is also accused of causing deliberate damage to Ngumi's property, which is estimated to be worth Sh1 million. This includes destruction to Ngumi's gate, garage wall, and her prized Mercedes Benz. On that fateful day, as Ngumi was getting ready for work, she noticed an unidentified person lingering near her gate.

She instructed her house help to inquire about the whereabouts of the person, leading to the discovery of Wangai. Wangai stated her intention to speak with Ngumi's spouse, which led the domestic worker to inform Ngumi. Ngumi then notified her spouse, and the couple proceeded to the entrance. However, their encounter with Wangai escalated into a dispute, leading to Wangai ramming her vehicle into the gate. The accused supposedly drove straight towards the woman as she tried to escape. Furthermore, it is alleged that the suspect sprayed a liquid, suspected to be acid, onto the complainant.

While trying to strike the complainant, the suspect unintentionally damaged her vehicle instead, as the woman sought shelter. The complainant immediately contacted the police who swiftly responded. The suspect is accused of making death threats towards the complainant and persistently attempting to run her over until she managed to find refuge among items on her property. However, as soon as the suspect learned that the police had been notified, she quickly fled. Detective Constable Erastus Matuanga from the Starehe DCI's office had prepared a sworn statement opposing the suspect's release on bail, although it was not presented during the court proceedings.

In the affidavit, Matuanga states that investigations had uncovered a dispute regarding the residence where the complainant resides with her spouse. The detective also mentions that the team has been unable to obtain statements from key witnesses due to their work obligations. During the court appearance before Senior Principal Magistrate Helen Okwani at the Makadara Law Courts, Ms Wangai pleaded not guilty and asked for favourable bail and bond terms.

Ms Wangai, who has four children including a seven-year-old, was granted release on a bond of Sh1 million, with no possibility of a cash bail. The case is scheduled to be mentioned on April 9, with the hearing set to commence on July 4. It is worth noting that Ms Ngumi's husband is listed as a witness in this case.