From love to ruin: Unmasking romance that ended in hospital and police cells

Florence Wanjiku and Elias Mutugi.

In the eyes of the public, Florence Wanjiku and Elias Mutugi embodied the image of a successful couple, balancing a thriving business and an enviable relationship.

At just 33 and 35 years old respectively, they co-directed a booming real estate company managing properties across Nakuru County.

Mutugi is also said to be a director at a supplies company operating in Githurai, Nairobi where he spends most of his time, but makes occasional visits to Nakuru.

The couple were regulars on the social scene, attending events like the Nakuru Entrepreneurship Awards, where they were recognised for their achievements.

Wanjiku, a mother of two, revealed in a recent interview that Mutugi fathered one of her children. However, this seemingly perfect union crumbled in a shocking incident that has gripped the nation.

Last week, a bitter altercation left Wanjiku hospitalised with life-threatening injuries allegedly inflicted by Mutugi. According to Wanjiku, the argument escalated after Mutugi followed her home from a hotel where they had met for a business and personal discussion.

Break-up

“We had just broken up at a hotel, but Mutugi followed me home. We had a confrontation, and I ended up the way I am,” Wanjiku said in a viral video.

Details about personal life with Mutugi remain scanty. However, he is a key figure at the Jesus Christ Compassion Ministry (JCM) church located in Ruiru, Nairobi.

At the church, which is headed by Bishop Benson Kamau alias Muthee Kiengei who doubles as a comedian at a vernacular station, Mutugi serves as its chairperson for investments and development.

In an undated clip of a televised church service, Mutugi revealed that the church was targeting to raise Sh180 million for the purchase of land on which to construct its main altar.

The November 21, 2024 incident however revealed a different side of Mutugi, a man who on Sundays stepped on the altar to make church announcements but also indulged in merrymaking.

According to Wanjiku, the couple had met at The Alps Hotel in the posh Milimani Estate, Nakuru for a business and private meeting.

“We agreed on some matters, business related and others personal at the hotel and I decided to go home. I left him drinking at the hotel with other acquaintances,” said Wanjiku.

Wanjiku has emerged to be an amiable person who enjoys a cordial relationship with everyone she interacted with.

CCTV footage

A CCTV footage of her arriving at her residence in Kiamunyi, Rongai on the night of the attack has emerged showing her exchanging pleasantries and a hug with a security guard at the parking lot at around 11:02pm.

Wanjiku reached for her handbag, which was inside a fairly new Toyota Succeed, and gifted the security guard with what appeared to be cash, which he pocketed happily. The conversation continued until 11:07 pm.

Wanjiku and the guard proceed in the direction of her house and only get back to the view of the camera four minutes later.

From the footage, the guard appears to have received a handsome reward from Wanjiku as he draws out the bundle of cash, counts the money and places it in different pockets.

It wasn't until 11:19 pm that Wanjiku was seen driving out of the apartments using the same car branded in their company’s logo.

Ten minutes later Mutugi arrived at Wanjiku’s residence in his Toyota Prado and shared a chat with a different guard for three minutes after which Wanjiku drove back and parked next to his SUV.

Wanjiku, however, in what appears to be an attempt to drive away from the scene, hit Mutugi’s car twice infuriating him.

Mutugi is seen forcing open Wanjiku’s car door on the driver’s side as she reverses into a wall. A struggle between the two can be seen inside the car as the guard desperately tries to help.

The struggle lasted for two minutes after which Mutugi walked back to his car and can be seen opening its tailgate, dropping something in and driving away.

After Wanjiku was rushed to hospital using a different vehicle, Mutugi returned to the scene and spent the night inside the car until around 5 am when he left.

Details emerged that the apartment outside which the confrontation occurred had been rented by Wanjiku where she resided with her two children.

Their fight has exposed the ugly side of their relationship which she was determined to end .

“I was forced to rent another house after Mutugi kicked me out of my previous house. I was not allowed to leave with anything except my children despite me being the one who paid rent,” said Wanjiku.

She described their relationship as abusive and was determined to terminate it alongside their business partnership.

“Our differences were an open secret to a few friends who knew that I was demanding money from him which I had loaned him. He had never been violent to me. We however had differences and I wanted to quit the relationship but he couldn’t agree,” said Wanjiku.

After turning himself in to the police four days later, Mutugi was taken to the Molo law courts where he pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder.

His demeanor, however, portrayed a relaxed man who was ready and in the process of fighting for his freedom.

Although he was not in handcuffs, Mutugi whose case had attracted many journalists, calmly walked out of the court and even stopped to pose for pictures.

“You can record. May I leave now?” Mutugi posed as the police walked him to a cell pending processing of his cash bail of Sh200,000.

The court moment was unusual for Mutugi who is used to walking around with friends, most of whom are millionaires and members of the Nairobi-based church. He was lonely save for his lawyer.

Wanjiku continues to recuperate in the hospital with stab wounds on the head, hands, legs and back. She is set to produce at least three other witnesses in court for her defense.