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The Nairobian

Son to testify against mother in stepfather's murder case

Rift Valley

By Yvonne Chepkwony | Jan 13, 2025

**The late Elijah Maina Matoke succumbed to burn injuries.** [File, Standard]

A suspect in the murder of his stepfather has been turned into a prosecution witness and will testify against his mother.

Godwin Amutamwa and Ruth Chelagat were arrested in connection with the murder of Elijah Maina Matoke.

The two allegedly doused Matoke in acid on December 5, 2024 in Kaptembwa estate, Nakuru County.

Matoke, 52, succumbed to burn injuries five days later. Medics established that he had sustained 40 per cent burns.

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The investigation officer George Sitati on Monday told the court that the prosecution had agreed that Amutumwa would be a state witness in the case.

“The first accused (Chelagat) to be charged with murder and Amutamwa to be a state witness,” Sitati told the court.

Chelagat is accused of allegedly dousing her husband with acid on December 5, 2024, at around 6 am following a family dispute.

The court heard that a report was filed at the Kaptembwa Police Station stating that Motoke was asleep in his rented home in Kaptembwa when his wife, Chelagat, and Amutamwa, allegedly poured the acid (Sulphur acid) on him, causing severe burns.

Matoke’s neighbours rushed him to Nakuru Level Five Hospital where he succumbed to internal and external burns from the acid.

“Matoke was rushed to hospital for treatment, where he was admitted, as the two suspects apprehended,” read court documents.

The postmortem report revealed that Matoke suffered metabolic dysfunction due to multiple organ failure as a complication of burns.

The report indicated that his skin tissues had the presence of corrosive agents.

Nakuru High Court Deputy Registrar Christine Menya directed Chelagat to undergo a mental assessment before taking plea.

The case will be mentioned on January 20, 2025.