Mombasa cop charged with murder of wife

A police constable was on Monday charged with murder at the Mombasa High Court following a December incident where he is alleged to have shot his wife dead.

According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Meshak Kosgei pleaded not guilty for the alleged murder of his wife, Emily Misiza, in Nyali on December 6, 2022.

Lady Justice Ann Ong’injo released Kosgei on a one million shillings bond with a surety of similar amount.

The court further warned the suspect against interfering with witnesses and the investigation process.

The pre-trial conference is scheduled to be held on February 6, 2023.

Kosgei, an officer attached to the Bamburi Police Station, shot Misiza three times leading to her death.

The officer shot his wife twice on her thighs and once on her stomach.

The woman was taken to hospital with her wounds, where she later succumbed.

Misiza’s family urged the ODPP to ensure justice is served for the murder of their kin, noting that the officer had been an abusive husband.

They explained that the three-year marriage between Misiza and Kosgei was filled with quarrels, and that she had been advised to leave.

“In October, she said he had hit her with a phone and taken her identity card. I told her to pack her belongings and come home. A few days ago I was called and informed that she had been shot,” said John Azangu, Misiza’s father. Azangu labeled Kosgei a killer, questing his motive for leaving the police station with his loaded gun.