According to relatives, Anita had reached a breaking point and was preparing to separate from her husband after enduring what they described as ongoing threats and abuse in the home.
The suspect, a Kenya Defence Forces officer, is accused of fatally stabbing her during a domestic dispute at their residence in St Mary’s Estate, Nakuru Town East. The incident reportedly occurred in the presence of the couple’s four-year-old daughter.
Witness accounts from a househelp present during the attack indicate that the couple had been arguing late into the night before the situation escalated.
The witness alleged that the husband went into the kitchen, picked up a knife, and returned to the living room where he allegedly attacked Anita.
In a desperate attempt to save her life, the househelp reportedly intervened and managed to pull the attacker away briefly, allowing Anita to escape momentarily despite serious injuries.
The victim is said to have removed the knife from her body and attempted to run toward the gate while calling for help, with her young daughter following behind her as she cried out for assistance.
A neighbour reportedly assisted in rushing her to Nairobi Women’s Hospital for emergency treatment, but she later succumbed to her injuries.
The case has intensified public concern over domestic violence and the role of community response during emergencies, with some residents questioning why more neighbours did not intervene during the incident.
Following the attack, the suspect was arrested and later taken to court. However, proceedings were suspended after medical evaluations raised concerns about his mental fitness to stand trial.
Doctors reportedly recommended that he be committed to Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital after indications that he may be suffering from bipolar mood disorder with poorly managed psychosis.
Authorities are continuing investigations to establish the full circumstances surrounding the killing, while Anita’s family is calling for justice and stronger protection for victims of domestic abuse.
