Striking photographs of Elizabeth Shigari Bana, the Mombasa teacher who miraculously survived a horrific knife attack by her former lover, have emerged as the man responsible begins serving a 10-year prison sentence.
What once appeared to be a beautiful love story between two people who dreamed of spending their lives together ended in a terrifying episode of violence that nearly cost Bana her life.
Bana, a teacher at Changamwe Secondary School, was attacked by Hannington Muthoka, a former Kenya Commercial Bank manager, after she reportedly turned down his attempts to rekindle their failed relationship.
The former couple had previously shared a romantic relationship and made plans for a future together. Their love story even took them to Dubai, where they travelled together, enjoyed memorable moments and appeared to be building a lasting bond.
However, behind the beautiful memories, their relationship eventually deteriorated, with the separation reportedly becoming a painful chapter for both parties.
According to court records, Muthoka later picked up Bana, claiming that he wanted them to have a conversation about their relationship. What followed was a horrifying encounter that left the teacher fighting for her life.
During the attack, Bana sustained serious knife injuries and was left bleeding heavily.
Her situation was so critical that two men who witnessed the incident quickly intervened, rescuing her from further harm.
When the rescuers reached her, they found her in a terrible condition, with part of the knife still embedded in her body. The severity of her injuries prompted an urgent medical response.
She was initially rushed to Port Reitz Hospital before being transferred to Aga Khan Hospital, where doctors immediately attended to her.
Medical specialists performed an emergency operation before admitting her to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for specialised treatment.
Medical evidence presented during the court proceedings revealed the extent of the injuries she had suffered. The knife had penetrated her left lung, causing it to collapse and placing her life in serious danger.
During the trial, Muthoka denied having any intention of killing Bana.
In his defence, he claimed that she sustained the injuries during a confrontation as he attempted to remove a knife from her possession. He also presented photographs, travel records, mobile money transaction details and WhatsApp conversations in an effort to support his version of events.
However, Senior Resident Magistrate David O. Odhiambo was not persuaded by his explanation.
After considering the evidence presented by the prosecution, the court found Muthoka guilty of attempted murder and sentenced him to 10 years in prison.
Muthoka has since begun serving his sentence, marking a dramatic end to a relationship that once appeared to have a promising future.
For Bana, the experience represents a painful chapter that could have ended very differently had the rescuers not intervened in time and medical professionals not worked urgently to save her life.
The case has also drawn attention to the dangers of violence in intimate relationships, particularly when one partner struggles to accept the end of a romantic relationship.
What began with romantic trips, shared dreams and promises of a future together ultimately ended in a courtroom, with one partner recovering from life-threatening injuries and the other beginning a decade behind bars.
