Wednesday, November
26, 2025 - The High Court in Mombasa on Tuesday opened a sombre, week-long
hearing into the case of a Kilifi mnazi tapper accused of killing his
17-year-old lover, in a tragedy that has left a family shattered and a village
gripped by horror.
Lewis Kazungu Charo is charged with the murder of Farida
Changawa Julius, contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal
Code.
The court heard that the incident occurred on June 6th,
2025, at Mferejini Village in Kijipwa, Kilifi South, a quiet rural community
still struggling to comprehend the cruelty of the young mother’s final moments.
Lady Justice Wendi Kagendo Micheni has set the matter down
for an expedited hearing as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against
Gender-Based Violence, underscoring the court’s concern over rising violence
targeting young women and girls.
The first prosecution witness, Umazi Wambua Kitheka, the
deceased’s aunt, gave a heartbreaking account of the evening her niece lost her
life.
Farida, a teenager raising her nine-month-old son, Nyale,
had prepared supper for the family at around 5pm before the accused arrived at
the homestead uninvited.
Umazi testified that Charo pulled the young woman aside for
a private conversation a few metres from where the family sat - an exchange
that lasted about an hour.
At the time, Charo had been hired by Farida’s mother to tap
mnazi from the family coconut farm.
“They went a few metres from where we were seated. We could
still see them because the lights were on,” she told the court.
After returning, the two joined the family for supper at the
verandah.
When the meal ended, Farida said she was heading to the shop
to collect her phone.
The two left in different directions but met before exiting
the compound.
About 20 minutes later, a piercing scream shattered the calm
of the homestead.
Farida’s cousin, Lamick Baraka, leapt through a window to
respond, with Umazi rushing behind him.
They found the teenager lying near the kitchen area with
severe injuries, a sight that left the family in shock.
In court, Umazi broke down when prosecution counsel
displayed photographs taken by crime scene detectives - images she said were
too painful for the family to bear.
She told the judge that the accused had attacked the girl in
a manner she likened to a savage ritual, saying the assault targeted her neck
with overwhelming force.
“She also had a cut on her shoulder and injuries on her
fingers, probably from trying to fight him off,” she said, her voice trembling.
The court heard that the two were lovers and that jealousy
was suspected to have strained the relationship.
Assistant Chief Henry Kilumo Randu of Makomboani
Sub-Location testified that at around 3am, he received a distress call from
Safari Karisa reporting that his cousin had killed his partner after a dispute.
Later that morning, he was informed that the accused had
been found on the family farm in a deeply distressed state.
Family members persuaded Charo to abandon what they believed
was an attempt to harm himself.
The Assistant Chief recalled finding him shaken and drenched
after spending the night in the rain.
He later accompanied the suspect’s brother in handing him
over to Kaloleni Police Station before he was transferred to Kijipwa Police
Station.
Prosecution Counsels Ngiri Wangui and Frank Sirima, assisted
by family lawyers Duncan Onsoro and Vera Adasa, are appearing for the State.
The hearing continues today.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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