The High Court in Mombasa on Tuesday, November 25, opened a sombre, week-long hearing into the case of a Kilifi-based palm wine tapper accused of killing his 17-year-old lover, an incident that has left a family shattered and an entire village gripped by horror.
Lewis Kazungu Charo is now fighting for his freedom after being charged with the murder of Farida Changawa Julius, contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.
The court heard that the incident took place on June 6, 2025, at Mferejini Village in Kijipwa, Kilifi South, a quiet rural community still struggling to comprehend the cruelty surrounding the young mother’s final moments.
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Lady Justice Wendi Kagendo Micheni set the matter for an expedited hearing as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, underscoring growing concern over rising attacks targeting young women and girls.
The first prosecution witness, Umazi Wambua Kitheka, the deceased’s aunt, gave a heartbreaking account of the evening her niece lost her life.
Farida, a teenager raising her nine-month-old son, Nyale, had prepared supper for the family at around 5.00 PM before the accused arrived at the homestead uninvited.
Umazi testified that Charo pulled the young woman aside for a private conversation a few metres from where the family sat, an exchange that lasted nearly an hour.
At the time, Charo had been hired by Farida’s mother to tap palm wine from the family’s coconut farm.
“They went a few metres from where we were seated. We could still see them because the lights were on,” she told the court.
After the conversation, the two returned and joined the family for supper on the verandah.
When the meal ended, Farida said she was heading to the shop to collect her phone.
The pair left in different directions but were seen meeting again before exiting the compound.
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About 20 minutes later, a piercing scream shattered the calm of the homestead.
Farida’s cousin, Lamick Baraka, leapt through a window to respond, with Umazi rushing behind him.
They found the teenager lying near the kitchen area with severe injuries, a sight that left the family in shock.
In court, Umazi broke down when prosecution counsel displayed photographs taken by crime scene detectives, images she said were too painful for the family to bear.
She told the judge that the accused had attacked the girl in what she described as a savage manner, saying the assault targeted her neck with overwhelming force.
“She also had a cut on her shoulder and injuries on her fingers, probably from trying to fight him off,” she said, her voice trembling.
The court heard that the two were lovers and that jealousy was suspected to have strained the relationship.
Assistant Chief Henry Kilumo Randu of Makomboani Sub-Location testified that at around 3.00 AM he received a distress call from Safari Karisa, who reported that his cousin had killed his partner after a dispute.
Later that morning, the chief was informed that the accused had been found on the family farm in a deeply distressed state.
Family members persuaded Charo to abandon what they believed was an attempt to harm himself.
The Assistant Chief recalled finding him shaken and drenched after spending the night in the rain.
He then accompanied the suspect’s brother in handing him over to Kaloleni Police Station before he was transferred to Kijipwa Police Station.
Prosecution Counsels Ngiri Wangui and Frank Sirima, assisted by family lawyers Duncan Onsoro and Vera Adasa, are appearing for the State.
By Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Kenya
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