Kilifi man jailed 30 years for murdering wife after Instagram dispute

The High Court in Mombasa has sentenced a Kilifi man to 30 years in prison for the murder of his wife, bringing to a close a case prosecutors said stemmed from domestic tensions, including disputes over social media use.

In a ruling delivered by Justice Wendy Kagendo Micheni, 40-year-old Murad Awadh Mbaraka was convicted of killing his wife, Nuru Ibrahim, at their home in Majengo Kanamai, Kilifi County.

The court heard that the fatal attack followed repeated disagreements within the marriage, among them arguments over the deceased’s activity on Instagram.

DPP secures 30-year jail term for Kilifi man who killed wife over Instagram dispute

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has secured a significant victory after the High Court in Mombasa sentenced a man to 30 years in prison for the brutal murder of his wife in Majengo… pic.twitter.com/Cbozl1tBvo

— Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions (@ODPP_KE) February 27, 2026

The prosecution, led by Principal Prosecution Counsel Frank Sirima on behalf of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, called ten witnesses to build what the court described as a compelling case.

The judge found that the accused acted with clear intent on the night of June 19, 2022.

Evidence presented showed that the assault took place inside the family home and was witnessed by the couple’s five children.

One of their daughters told the court she heard her mother cry out for help during the attack.

Neighbours who responded to the commotion were allegedly threatened and prevented from intervening.

Forensic findings further tied the accused to the scene. Investigators recovered the victim’s blood on a knife and on fragments of a broken baby cot said to have been used during the assault, as well as on the accused’s clothing.

 Testimony from witnesses and the accused’s employer also weakened his claim that an unknown intruder was responsible.

In sentencing, Justice Micheni said the circumstances of the killing demonstrated deliberate and violent conduct.

She added that the custodial term was intended both to punish the offender and to send a strong message against domestic violence.

The court allowed the convict 14 days to lodge an appeal.