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| Photo collage/Late Tabitha Wanjiru & Accused Lawrence |
The High Court of Kenya at Nyandarua has convicted Lawrence Maina Shikalo of the murder of eight-year-old Tabitha Wanjiru Macharia.
Shikalo was charged with murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code over the death of Tabitha on January 30, 2026, at Bombo Village in Nyandarua West Sub-County, Nyandarua County.
The court heard that Tabitha had been released from school at about 4 p.m. on the day she died. She normally travelled home on her own, but on that day she had not arrived home by 5:45 p.m.
Her mother went out looking for her and made enquiries from her husband and the girl's friend. She later mobilised other villagers to help with the search.
At about 8 p.m., Tabitha's lifeless body was found under a tree on Itegi's land.
The court heard that her hands had been tied behind her back and that her body had been covered with leaves and branches. Her school bag, containing books, a lunch box and a water bottle, was found nearby.
Medical evidence presented before the court showed that Tabitha had suffered several injuries.
The post-mortem examination found that her hands had been tied behind her using uniform straps. Her stockings were torn in the genital area, while her underwear contained faecal matter.
The examination also revealed strap marks on her neck, signs of oxygen deprivation and haemorrhaging in the eyes. There were further injuries to the neck muscles and lungs, as well as injuries involving the genital area.
The pathologist concluded that Tabitha died from asphyxia resulting from strangulation.
The prosecution also presented CCTV evidence obtained from a nearby residence. According to the evidence, Shikalo was seen passing by the area at around 6 p.m. on the day Tabitha disappeared.
DNA evidence was also presented in court.
The judgment states that a mixed DNA profile of Shikalo and Tabitha was found on the deceased's sweater. DNA obtained from seminal fluid and spermatozoa found in a high vaginal swab also matched Shikalo's DNA profile.
Several suspects had initially been arrested after CCTV footage was obtained. DNA samples were taken from them as part of the investigations. The judgment states that the other suspects were not found to be connected to the contact and defilement of Tabitha, while the evidence connected Shikalo.
Shikalo denied involvement in the offence and presented an alibi. His father also testified in support of the alibi.
The court noted that an accused person who raises an alibi does not carry the burden of proving that the alibi is true. The judge referred to the Court of Appeal decision in Kiarie v Republic [1984] KLR on the legal position concerning alibi evidence.
However, the judge found that the DNA evidence linking Shikalo to the deceased displaced his alibi.
Justice Kiarie Waweru Kiarie concluded that the prosecution had established that Shikalo defiled Tabitha and was responsible for her death.
The court then considered whether the prosecution had proved malice aforethought, which is required for a murder conviction.
The judgment refers to Section 206 of the Penal Code, which sets out circumstances in which malice aforethought may be established, including an intention to cause death or grievous harm, knowledge that an act is likely to cause death or grievous harm, an intention to commit a felony, or an intention to facilitate the escape of a person who has committed or attempted to commit a felony.
After reviewing the evidence presented by the prosecution, the judge found that the case against Shikalo had been proved.
Justice Kiarie Waweru Kiarie therefore found Lawrence Maina Shikalo guilty and convicted him of murder.
The judgment was delivered and signed at Nyandarua on June 25, 2026.
In his closing remarks, the judge commended the investigative team, describing the case as one of the rare instances in the region where the investigation and prosecution had been carried out swiftly.
The judge said the investigators had thoroughly covered the issues arising from the case and had handled the investigation diligently.
Case: Republic v Lawrence Maina Shikalo
Case Number: Criminal Case No. E004 of 2026
Court: High Court of Kenya at Nyandarua
Judge: Kiarie Waweru Kiarie
Judgment Date: June 25, 2026
