A Nairobi court has dismissed a plea agreement for Joshua Mureri Kayeri, who was accused of killing his wife, Maureen Chagenda Miremso, in a domestic dispute. The incident occurred on January 12, 2020, in Soweto, Kayole, within Nairobi County. Mureri had pleaded guilty to the killing but sought to be charged with manslaughter instead of murder.
The case revealed a history of domestic violence between the couple, with frequent altercations that neighbours were aware of. Despite the conflicts, the couple would often reconcile. Maureen had left their home on January 8, 2020, and moved in with a friend, Claris Adema, fearing for her safety due to Mureri’s violent behaviour.
On January 12, Mureri called his wife and requested a conversation. Despite Maureen initially refusing, Claris persuaded her to return home. Once there, Mureri asked his wife to cook for him, then left and returned with meat, paraffin, and maize flour. He later sent Claris to fetch a cigarette, which gave him an opportunity to close the door behind her and attack Maureen.
Mureri told Maureen that “today is your day to leave,” prompting her to scream for help. Neighbour Stanley Chavanji rushed to investigate but found the house locked. He peered through an open window and witnessed Mureri holding a knife, attempting to stab his wife. In a desperate struggle, Maureen fought back, grabbed the knife, and threw it under the bed. Angered, Mureri pushed Maureen, causing her to fall onto a sofa, and then threw hot meat from the stove at her face. The meat caused burns on her and nearby curtains, which also caught fire.
Maureen screamed again, attracting Chavanji, who broke the door down and entered. During the ensuing struggle, Mureri stabbed Chavanji, who fled the scene. A crowd gathered, doused Maureen with water, and rushed her to Soweto Police Station. Claris had already reported the incident, and Maureen was transferred to Mama Lucy Hospital and later referred to Kenyatta National Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries on February 2, 2020.
In court, Justice Alexander Muteti rejected the plea agreement for manslaughter, stating that the facts presented did not align with such a charge. The court emphasized that the accused would face trial for murder, with the case set for mention on September 29, 2025, before being allocated to another judge for trial.
