Mwikali, who was arraigned at the Malindi High Court, admitted to killing her lover on January 28 in Malindi, shocking court attendees.
However, High Court Judge Reuben Nyakundi, sensed that Mwikali had not understood the charge, which had been read to her in English language.
Mwikali had, initially, suggested that she killed Herman while defending herself after he attacked her.
“I saved myself from death, self and defense (sic). It is true [I killed Herman],” she said.
On sensing that that a plea of guilty was going to be entered by the judge, the suspect’s lawyer, Enrica Ruto, who was also shocked, leaned over to the dock and informed Mwikali that she had, actually, admitted to killing Herman.
In Kenya, a person who is convicted of murder faces death by hanging.
A perplexed Mwikali immediately said she did not mean to plead guilty to the charge, and that she had “limited understanding of English language”.
Justice Reuben Nyakundi decided to reread the charge to Mwikali, this time around in Swahili language, and not English. Mwikali pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The judge set March 24, 2020 as the date for trial. Meanwhile, the suspect remains remanded at Mtangani Maximum Prison.
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