Police reservist kills pregnant ex-wife, self after divorce
A National Police Reservist in Lamu, Shaffi Swaleh Bwana, shot and killed his pregnant ex-wife, Najma Athman Bwanamusa, and then himself.
What you need to know:
- A National Police Reservist (NPR) in Lamu, Shaffi Swaleh Bwana, shot and killed his pregnant ex-wife, Najma Athman Bwanamusa, and then himself, with a neighbour also critically injured by a stray bullet.
- The tragedy, confirmed as a domestic dispute by authorities, occurred just one day after Shaffi had finalised a religious divorce (Tuhr) from Najma, suggesting emotional fallout played a significant role.
A National Police Reservist (NPR) shot and killed his pregnant ex-wife before turning the gun on himself in Kiunga, Lamu County.
Lamu East Deputy County Commissioner George Kubai confirmed the incident, which occurred on Monday at around 11:30 am.
The man identified as Shaffi Swaleh Bwana, 35, had a two-year-old daughter with the woman, Najma Athman Bwanamusa, 33.
A neighbour was also hit by a stray bullet and is in critical condition. Mr Kubai said the tragedy appears to have stemmed from a domestic dispute.
“People should embrace professional counselling whenever faced with life challenges. Open up to colleagues, friends or relatives instead of taking lives and leaving innocent children behind to suffer,” said Mr Kubai.
Neighbours familiar with the couple said Shaffi acted just a day after finalising a religious divorce from Najma.
Kiunga Ward Muslim Marriage Officer Hamid Hussein Shali explained that the man had on Sunday issued the third and final pronouncement of divorce known in Islamic tradition as Tuhr.
“In Islamic tradition, a divorce (Talaq) becomes final after three pronouncements by the husband, separated by specific intervals. I believe Shaffi couldn’t cope with the emotional fallout after making the final pronouncement on Sunday,” said Mr Shali.
Another neighbour, Mr Omar Mohamed, said Shaffi had earlier warned Najma not to remarry, threatening consequences if she did.
“He had even come to her house trying to reconcile, but she refused. You know, in Islam, once the third and final divorce pronouncement is made, the couple cannot be together again unless the woman marries and divorces another man,” said Mr Mohamed.
Ms Fatma Ali, a marriage counsellor in Lamu, urged couples to seek professional consultation before finalising divorce decisions.
“Consultation helps couples explore the root causes of their problems, assess whether reconciliation is possible, and understand the legal and emotional implications of divorce with the guidance of a neutral third party,” said Ms Ali.
This incident comes just a month after General Service Unit (GSU) officer Moses Makira Ayoga, 31, shot dead his lover Sheila Nyamokami Mokaya, 32, and her five-year-old daughter, Lency Amelia, before killing himself in Mokowe Township.