Widow of slain Kiru Boys principal found guilty of murder

Jane Muthoni

Jane Muthoni (right) and her co-accused Isaac Ng'a ng'a in court on November 22, 2017. 

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

A court has found Jane Muthoni, the woman accused of killing Kiru Boys High School Principal Solomon Mwangi Mbuthi, guilty of murder.

Justice Joel Ngugi also convicted  Muthoni's co-accused Isaac Isaac Ng'ang'a alias Gikuyu.

The convicts will be sentenced on May 18.

During the trial, Muthoni who has been in remand for nearly five years following the murder, defended herself against the charge of killing Mbuthi and said it was his fellow who orchestrated her husband’s death after he refused to play into their game over transfers.

The court heard that the principals, who influenced transfers and promotions of teachers in the region, were aggrieved after Mbuthi was posted to the school while she was promoted to head Icaciri Secondary School without going through them.

Muthoni claimed that the cartel had demanded Sh1 million from them to facilitate their transfer to schools of their choice.

She further  claimed that the cartel framed her after murdering her husband.

Extra-marital affairs

Muthoni was charged alongside Ng’ang'a with the murder of Mbuthi between November 4 and 11, 2016 in Kiambu County.

According to the prosecution, Ms Muthoni hired four people to eliminate her husband after she suspected him of having extra-marital affairs.

One suspect, Joseph Kariuki, was sentenced to seven years in prison for manslaughter after he confessed to taking part in the murder.

The fourth suspect, Nelson Njiru, is still at large and efforts to trace him have been fruitless.