Aston Lukoye
- A Nairobi court has ruled that Omar Lali, the ex-boyfriend of Tecra Muigai, is criminally responsible for her death.
- Senior Principal Magistrate Zainab Abdul found inconsistencies in Lali’s explanation of Tecra’s fatal injuries.
- The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is expected to recommend charges under Article 157 of the Constitution.
In a landmark ruling, a Nairobi court has found Omar Lali criminally liable for the death of Tecra Muigai. Senior Principal Magistrate Zainab Abdul decided after a detailed review of the evidence presented during the inquest into Tecra’s death. Tecra, daughter of Keroche Breweries chairman Joseph Karanja and CEO Tabitha Karanja, died in May 2020 under mysterious circumstances at a residence in Lamu.
The court rejected Lali’s explanation that Tecra had fallen down the stairs, stating that it could not account for the severe brain injuries highlighted in the post-mortem reports. Magistrate Abdul noted the discrepancies between Lali’s account and the medical evidence, concluding that he was criminally responsible for Tecra’s death.
Throughout the inquest, Tecra’s mother, Tabitha Karanja, expressed doubts about Lali’s involvement, speculating that financial motives may have driven his actions. She testified that Lali had been receiving large sums of money from Tecra, an unusual arrangement given their age and relationship dynamics.
“I suspected Omar Lali could have had a hand in my daughter’s death because she might have refused to continue financing him,” she testified. She added that “it was Lali’s greed that caused her daughter’s death.”
Lali, however, denied any wrongdoing, insisting that their relationship was built on love and respect. He described their life together as happy and claimed they had no serious disagreements leading up to the tragic incident.
With the court finding Omar Lali criminally liable, the matter now moves to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further action. The ruling marks a significant moment in the case, as Tecra’s family seeks justice for her untimely death. Whether Lali will face formal charges remains to be seen.
