Jilted man denies threatening to strangle estranged wife over missing curtains

A 42-year-old man is facing charges after allegedly sending death threats to his estranged wife, accusing her of abandoning him and taking his curtains.

Sylvester Mutiso is said to have repeatedly threatened to kill Cecilia Musenya between March 1 and 21, 2026, in the Tassia area of Embakasi Sub-County, Nairobi County.

In one message, he reportedly warned: “Nitakukata kichwa, take it from me. Ukicheza na mimi nitakumaliza” — a chilling statement interpreted as a direct threat to harm or kill the complainant.

The couple got married 15 years ago when the wife was still a teenager. Like many young couples, they struggled to navigate the harsh realities of life and financial pressures. Domestic conflicts soon became routine, and barely two years into the marriage, the union began to unravel.

Fearing for her safety and that of their young son, the complainant chose to walk away and rebuild her life. The couple lived apart for 13 years until November last year, when they reconciled for the sake of their child.

However, the reunion was short-lived. Just four months later, disagreements resurfaced, prompting the wife to pack her belongings and leave once again.

Enraged, the man, a security guard began bombarding her with messages, demanding that she return to him and bring back the curtains she had taken.

The threats persisted until the complainant returned the curtains and reported the matter to the police. Mutiso was arrested and arraigned before Makadara Senior Principal Magistrate Renee Kitagwa. He denied the charges.

The magistrate granted him bond of Sh100,000, with an alternative cash bail of the same amount.