Mombasa court halts murder trial to consider plea bargain request

By Eric Abuga

The High Court in Mombasa today briefly paused proceedings in a murder trial after a 22-year-old man accused of killing a 17-year-old girl indicated he wished to pursue a Plea Bargain.

Lewis Kazungu Charo is charged with the murder of Farida Changawa Julius, who died on the 6th of June 2025, at Mferejini Village in Kijipwa, Kilifi South. 
Charo, a palm-wine tapper, had reportedly worked at the girl’s family homestead for six months before the incident.

Prosecution has already presented three witnesses in this case, including testimony that a knife allegedly linked to the killing was similar to one routinely used by the accused in his daily work.

The court also heard that the accused and the deceased were known to each other.

The third prosecution witness, the deceased’s grandfather, Tinga Mwachiro Kiti, testified today, and recounted identifying his granddaughter’s body at Kilifi Sub-County Hospital during a post-mortem examination conducted on the 12th of June 2025.

Before the Prosecution could proceed, State Counsel Ngiri Wangui and Frank Sirima informed Lady Justice Wendy Micheni that the Defence had written to the court expressing interest in a plea bargain. In the letter, Charo said he wished to conclude the case in a manner that would serve the interests of justice and avoid a prolonged trial.

The victim’s family lawyer, Duncan Osoro, noted that the bereaved relatives must be consulted before any agreement is considered.

Justice Micheni adjourned the hearings to allow Prosecution and the family’s representatives to discuss the implications of a possible plea deal. She directed that consultations be completed within 14 days.

The matter will be mentioned on the 18th of December 2025, for further directions.