The Mombasa High Court on Tuesday began hearing the case of 17-year-old mother Farida Changawa Julius, allegedly killed by her lover, Lewis Kazungu Charo a mnazi tapper from Kilifi.
Prosecutors say the attack occurred on June 6, 2025, at Mferejini Village in Kijipwa, Kilifi South.
Lady Justice Wendi Kagendo Micheni has fast-tracked the case as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, highlighting the court’s alarm over rising attacks on girls and young women.
The first prosecution witness, Umazi Wambua Kitheka, the deceased’s aunt, gave account of the evening Farida lost her life.
She told the court that the teen mother, who was caring for her nine-month-old son, Nyale, had prepared supper around 5pm when the accused arrived uninvited at their homestead.
Charo, who at the time had been hired by Farida’s mother to tap mnazi from the family’s coconut trees, requested to speak to her privately.
“They went a few metres from where we were seated. We could still see them because the lights were on,” Umazi testified.
After about an hour, the two returned and joined the family for supper on the verandah.
Moments after the meal, Farida informed the family that she was stepping out to collect her phone from the shop.
Both she and the accused left the compound in different directions, Umazi said, but were seen meeting again before exiting the gate.
About 20 minutes later, a desperate scream shattered the calm of the homestead.
Farida’s cousin, Lamick Baraka, jumped through a window to respond. Umazi followed closely behind.
They found the teenager collapsed near the kitchen area, bleeding heavily from deep wounds.
In court, Umazi broke down when the prosecution displayed photographs captured by crime scene detectives, images she said were unbearable for the family. She described the attack as savage and targeted.
“She also had a cut on her shoulder and injuries on her fingers, probably from trying to fight him off,” she told the court, her voice shaking.
The court further heard that Farida and the accused were lovers and that jealousy may have strained their relationship.
Assistant Chief Henry Kilumo Randu of Makomboani Sub-Location told the court he received a distress call at around 3 am from Safari Karisa, who reported that his cousin had killed his partner after a dispute.
The Assistant Chief said that later that morning, he was informed that the accused had been found in the family farm in a deeply distressed state.
Family members had taken time to persuade Charo to abandon an attempt to harm himself.
The Assistant Chief said he found him shaken and drenched from spending the night in the rain.
He accompanied the suspect’s brother as they handed him over to Kaloleni Police Station. Charo was later transferred to Kijipwa Police Station.
Prosecution Counsels Ngiri Wangui and Frank Sirima, assisted by family lawyers Duncan Onsoro and Vera Adasa, are representing the State.
The hearing is meant to continue today to find the final verdict of the matter.
