Church official accused of stabbing ex-lover out on Sh500,000 bond
Elias Mutugi Njeru, 35 when he appeared before Molo Law Courts on November 25, 2024. He is accused of assaulting his ex-lover, Ms Florence Wanjiku Gachuki .
Elias Njeru Mutugi, a church leader who allegedly stabbed his former lover 18 times and left her for dead, was on Monday released on a Sh 500,000 bond or a surety of a similar amount. This came hours after he was arrested after surrendering himself at Menengai Police Station in Nakuru.
The 35-year-old suspect turned himself in on Monday morning accompanied by his lawyer.
The court heard that while armed with dangerous weapons, Mr Njeru attempted to cause the death of Florence Wanjiku Gichohi at Kiamunyi area in Rongai Sub-County, Nakuru, by stabbing her all over the body and mutilating her fingers, an offence he committed on November 21.
Principal Secretary for Gender and Social Services Anne Wangombe when she visited Ms Florence Wanjiku at the hospital on November 23, 3024 where was admitted after she was allegedly attacked by her boyfriend, a Nakuru-based pastor.
According to the Rift Valley Police boss Jasper Ombati, he went on the run after the ordeal on Thursday until Monday morning (November 25) when he surrendered himself to the police.
"He surrendered to the police on Monday morning, in the company of his lawyer Gakuhi Chege. He was arrested and is likely to face attempted murder charges after allegedly stabbing his girlfriend Florence Wanjiku Gichohi with a knife following a domestic fight at their home in Kiamunyi last week, "said Ombati.
The suspect had requested to meet up with Wanjiku for a discussion on the day of the attack.
They met at a Nakuru hotel where they talked about a business they ran together before they separated. After that, Wanjiku said the man turned violent and attacked her.
Njeru who is also a senior leader at a Nairobi-based church, stabbed her severally on the head, back, hand and other body parts leaving her fighting for her life.
Wanjiku is now undergoing treatment at the Optimum Hospital in Nakuru City.
Before they broke up, Wanjiku said, the two had been running a lands and property company.
The two lovers also had two children together.
On Saturday, a section of women leaders led by Gender and Social Services Principal Secretary Anne Wangombe who visited the victim in hospital condemned the attack calling for speedy dispensation of justice.