How three-day house party in Eldoret turned tragic

A court in Eldoret was Thursday told of a three-day house party that turned tragic when a lawyer reportedly killed a colleague.

Kelvin Odhiambo, a private primary school teacher, gave an account of the last moments he had with the victim and the accused.

He said the party had been organised by an advocate who had invited more than 10 friends, including Calvin Ngaira and Mr Abel Mogaka.

The court was informed that Mr Mogaka, an Eldoret-based advocate, killed Ngaira in Annex estate on the Eldoret-Nakuru highway, Uasin Gishu County, on May 18, 2019.

Ngaira succumbed to the injuries at Medi-Heal Hospital in Eldoret, Mr Odhiambo told the court. Mr Mogaka, who denies the charge, is out on a Sh1 million bond with surety of a similar amount.

“We took alcohol and had food provided by our host the whole day and night. Some of us watched football matches on TV,” Mr Odhiambo said.

The teacher added that Ngaira and a female friend walked out around 5.30am, followed by Mr Mogaka who had a glass of beer.

The rest of the drinking mates remained in the house. “Moments later, I heard the woman scream. I went out and saw Ngaira lying on the ground with blood gushing from his neck,” Mr Odhiambo said.

He added that Mr Mogaka was standing a few metres away. Mr Odhiambo said he saw pieces of broken glass and a broken beer bottle on the ground.

He added that he could not recall if Ngaira was killed with the bottle or glass “since we were drunk”. He said they were all arrested and taken to Kiambaa police station where they were held for one night.

They were freed after recording statements.

Another witness, Vivian Wanjiku, recounted stumbling on the victim who was writhing in pain with blood gushing from the left side of his neck outside the host’s house.

“I went back to the house and returned with a towel which I put on the injured man’s neck to stop the blood flow,” Ms Wanjiru told the court.

“He appeared to be in severe pain.”

The hearing continues.