By Prudence Minayo
Innocent Kalio Makokha seemed just like any other university student saddened by the death of his girlfriend Christine Ambani until he was charged with her murder. The deceased was a student at Mwihoko based Kiriri Women University of Science and Technology where she was a third year business administration major. She was found dead by a security guard with her neck bearing deep stab wounds.
On 27th July 2021, the Directorate of Criminal Investigation detectives arrested Innocent at Chokaa hideout within Kayole.
Age and Education
He was born on 29th August 1998 in the Western part of Kenya where he also grew up. Until his arrest, Kalio was a student at a local university where he is undertaking his Bachelor’s degree in Special Needs Education.
Personal Life
Kalio is from Mumias, western part of Kenya. He joined Facebook in 2018 and his posts seem to be that of a normal young campus guy. From his page, one can tell he was a good storyteller who often wrote long story-like posts that were both captivating and entertaining, with some of his fans even saying he would make a very good writer.
He was romantically involved with the late Christine Ambani for two years (since 2019) and upon her death took to Facebook to not only mourn her but declare those who committed the gruesome murder would never have peace.
“This is more than worse to me. Rest easy my close person. They’ll never have peace,” he posted.
After mourning Ambani, he then posted an encouraging message telling people never to be prisoners of their past since it was a lesson and not a life sentence.
Christine Ambani Murder
On the day that Christine is believed to have met her demise, it is said she left university in the morning to meet with Innocent Kalio for a date. They booked themselves into a guesthouse in Githurai but they were only supposed to spend a few hours as Christine had a Continuous Assessment Test in the afternoon. However, Kalio came out of the room and topped out the amount saying they would spend the night. At some point at night, he is suspected to have stabbed his lover before logging into her family WhatsApp group where he proceeded to ask for money.
To absolve himself from murder of his girlfriend, Innocent took to Facebook to give a blow to blow account of his last interaction with Christine. He later deleted the post that reads:
“Rency must have been your fav nickname CHRISTINE AMBANI. Last time we talked via WhatsApp was 11th Sunday this moon.
On 12th Monday, I got a text from her informing me she was not well, at around 0325hrs in the morning. I would later call her at around 2000hrs the same day after nimeingia WhatsApp and she assured me she had seaked (sic) some medication.
She assured me she was fine. This was nearly 3hrs after I got a text from her number directing me to call her roommate (number provided) and inform her she was at my place.
I sensed something unreal and called her, she ignored my calls. I called the number she send but it was constantly busy, (on another call). By that time) was with my college mate Ivan Odhiambo at Thika Bufallo Grill.
I never bothered much coz we were also having some heppy. At around 1940hrs while at my place. I got a text from her requesting 1000 loan to be refunded.
I had to call and confirm if she was truly the one and she picked, though she was freaky. Anyway, we talked for like 10min and assured me she might be at her place in less than 30min, the reason being jam.
From 2049hrs, she ignored my calls until 2200+hrs when she was off and blocked me. Later on, on Wednesday 14 this moon, I reached her roommate na kumuuliza why she was off, the reply was traumatising. Rest easy my fav.”
Other Crime
It is reported that it is not the first time he is a murder suspect. He has previously been arrested for allegedly killing his brother, his brother’s wife and their one-year-old daughter. The three died after their house was torched in February 2021. The matter was investigated by Mumias based detectives and the case was forwarded to the DPP for further action. The DPP announced that a public inquest should be carried out on the matter. Even before the inquest was done and his family was buried, he disrupted burial planning meetings and destroyed the family’s property. He was arrested, charged and remanded at Kakamega G.K. Prison. However, the case was withdrawn under unclear circumstances and he was set free.
