Justice Denied? Aisha Jumwa Linked Kilifi Murder Case Ends Without Conviction

The family of Jola Ngumbao, who was fatally shot in 2019 during a political gathering in Ganda Ward, Kilifi County, is reeling from the recent acquittal of the accused, bringing a six-year legal battle to a close without delivering the justice they sought. 

The High Court’s decision, based on inconclusive forensic evidence, has reopened deep wounds for the family, who reside in a modest homestead in Pindukiani village, where Ngumbao’s grave serves as a constant reminder of their loss.

The incident occurred on a fateful day in October 2019 at the home of Reuben Katana, a local political aspirant. Members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) had convened for a strategy meeting to prepare polling agents for the upcoming Ganda Ward by-election. 

Ngumbao, a 32-year-old manual labourer and the eldest son in a family of six, had been encouraged to attend the meeting with his sister, Mary, by a relative. According to Mary, the gathering descended into chaos with the unexpected arrival of former Malindi Member of Parliament Aisha Jumwa. “We started running the moment she arrived. It was chaotic. Then I heard gunshots… Everyone was screaming and fleeing in panic. Later, I learned that my brother was the one who had been shot dead,” she recounted.

In the aftermath, Jumwa and her aide, Geoffrey Otieno Okuto, were arrested and charged with Ngumbao’s murder. However, the family, facing financial constraints and geographical challenges, struggled to follow the legal proceedings in Mombasa, leaving them largely uninformed about the case's progress. The recent visit by journalists brought the devastating news that Okuto, the remaining defendant, had been acquitted. The family, who had clung to the hope of justice, was left in disbelief and anguish.

Ngumbao’s mother, Kaka Mumba, expresses her profound disappointment, stating, “Now I feel his death has gone unpunished. We’ve been deceived. Forgotten. Even the justice system we trusted has failed us. Where is justice in this country?” 

She implores the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to appeal the acquittal, seeking accountability for her son’s death. Mary echoes her mother's sentiments, emphasising the role of Jumwa’s arrival in triggering the violence that led to her brother’s death.

“What pains me most is that it was Ms. Jumwa who stormed that meeting. That’s what led to the chaos and my brother’s death. If she hadn’t come, he would still be alive,” she asserts.

During the trial, Okuto reportedly told the court that he had advised Jumwa against attending the gathering.  Moses Jola, Ngumbao’s brother, who was also present at the meeting, vividly recalls the chilling words spoken by the gunman, claiming immunity due to their affiliation with the government. 

“Whoever shot my brother shouted that nothing would happen to them because they are the government,” he says, reflecting the family’s deep frustration and sense of injustice.

Adding to their distress, rumours have circulated suggesting that the family had received compensation or assistance in some form. Moses vehemently denies these claims, stating that neither Jumwa’s side nor the ODM had approached them with any such offers. The High Court’s decision to acquit Okuto was based on a forensic report that failed to conclusively link the weapon suspected of discharging the fatal bullet to the accused. 

Justice Wendy Micheni highlighted inconsistencies in the forensic findings, which could not definitively confirm the exact firearm responsible for Ngumbao’s death.

Jumwa had previously been discharged from the case after a review found no direct link between her and the crime. Her exoneration occurred shortly after her appointment to Cabinet by President William Ruto in 2022. The recent High Court ruling acquitting Okuto officially concluded the six-year trial.

Despite the legal conclusion, the family in Pindukiani village remains far from closure. They continue to grapple with unanswered questions and a profound sense of injustice, highlighting the challenges faced by families navigating the complexities of the justice system. Their plea for accountability remains unanswered, and their sorrow persists as an unrelenting burden.