The Eldoret High Court yesterday, Liza Jebiwott Koima confessed to her involvement in the death of her estranged husband nearly four years ago. The revelation sent shockwaves through the courtroom as Koima detailed the circumstances leading to the tragic demise of Abraham Lagat.
Koima, a mother of two girls, stood before Judge Reuben Nyakundi and admitted to striking Lagat on the head with a blunt object in their bedroom, resulting in his death. She cited relentless demands from her late husband as the catalyst for her actions.
According to Koima, Lagat had been pressuring her for an unspecified sum of money to invest in large-scale cereal farming in Narok county. When she informed him that she was unable to fulfill his demands, he allegedly confronted her with a sharp Maasai sword, threatening her life.
In a bid to defend herself, Koima recounted swiftly overpowering her husband during the ensuing scuffle. Fearing for her life, she claimed to have struck him on the head twice with a blunt object, preventing what she believed could have been a fatal stabbing.
Despite her admission of involvement, Koima maintained her plea of not guilty to the charge of killing Lagat on August 27, 2020, at their residence in Kipkorgot estate along the Eldoret-Ravine road in Uasin Gishu county. The couple had been married for 23 years prior to the tragic incident.
In a further twist, Koima revealed that she did not seek help from neighbors or rush her husband to the hospital following the altercation. She explained her decision by expressing fear that her neighbors might turn violent against her, potentially leading to her lynching in connection with her husband’s death.
Koima’s defense lawyer, Thomas Kigen, represented her in court during her admission of involvement in Lagat’s death. The hearing is set to resume on April 8, with Koima’s revelations likely to have a significant impact on the proceedings.
The case has captivated the attention of the public, shedding light on the complexities of domestic disputes and the lengths individuals may go to in moments of desperation. As the trial unfolds, many will be closely following the developments surrounding Koima’s shocking admission and its implications for the final verdict.