The High Court has cleared rally driver Maxine Wahome of murder charges in the death of her boyfriend, Assad Khan. The ruling came after the court found that the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.
The incident occurred on December 11, 2022, at an apartment in Nairobi's Kilimani area, where Khan sustained severe injuries during what prosecutors described as a domestic dispute between the couple. Khan was initially treated at Nairobi Hospital before being transferred to Avenue Hospital, where he passed away a week later on December 18.
Following investigations, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) charged Wahome with murder. She pleaded not guilty when arraigned before the High Court in February 2023.
During the trial, the prosecution presented several witnesses to establish Wahome's involvement in Khan's death. However, the defence challenged the evidence, labeling it inconsistent and inadequate to prove guilt.
In its judgment delivered on Tuesday, the court stated, "The prosecution has failed to establish the charge of murder beyond reasonable doubt." The judge emphasized that the evidence did not meet the legal standard required for a conviction, leading to Wahome's acquittal and the conclusion of the three-year-long trial.
Wahome's lawyer, Steve Kimathi, expressed satisfaction with the verdict, calling it a vindication of his client's innocence and a restoration of her reputation. He criticized the ODPP for pursuing a case he believed should not have been brought to court.
