An Australian woman who was mysteriously shot dead near her home in Kenya had previously accused her husband of stalking, threatening, harassment and psychological torture.
Gabrielle Maina, a teacher at an international school in Nairobi, was murdered on the side of the road on October 19 last year.
Her Kenyan husband, Cyrus Bernard Maina Njuguna, and his cousin, John Njuguna Waithira, were arrested in relation to her death but have since been released without charges being laid.
Gabrielle Maina, a teacher at an international school in Nairobi, was murdered on the side of the road on October 19 last year
Her Kenyan husband, Cyrus Bernard Maina Njuguna, and his cousin, John Njuguna Waithira, were arrested in relation to her death but have since been released without charges being laid
Mrs Maina moved to the African nation with her husband and their two sons in 2016, where she took a job at Hillcrest Preparatory School as principal.
However, in April last year she was granted an apprehended violence order (AVO) against her Mr Maina after their marriage soured.
In court documents obtained by the ABC, the 40-year-old mother accused him of becoming ‘extremely violent’ and having ‘uncontrollable anger’ in the AVO application.
‘He totally withdrew his companionship and as a resort (sic) I have suffered mentally and psychologically … to escape the abusive relationship and to feel more secure I sought an alternative accommodation away from the Respondent,’ the affidavit lodged with the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Nairobi in April, 2016 says.
‘The Respondent has continued contacting, calling, sending messages, stalking threatening, harassing and disturbing my peace … these actions by the Respondent have subjected me to humiliation and a credible threat of ruining my life and as such, I am afraid for my safety … the Respondent’s actions have caused me and my family, untold anguish, psychological torture and trauma.’
She was successfully granted the AVO, despite Mr Maina categorically denying her allegations of ‘domestic violence’.
Mrs Maina moved to the African nation with her husband and their two sons in 2016, where she took a job at Hillcrest Preparatory School as principal
In court documents obtained by the ABC , the 40-year-old mother accused her husband of becoming ‘extremely violent’ and having ‘uncontrollable anger’ in the AVO application
He instead claimed she ended their relationship because she admitted to cheating on him.
‘Her reason for her request for separation were solely the result of her having an affair with an ex-colleague at her work place,’ Mr Maina said in court in August, 20
‘It has always been my desire to keep the family together and the breakdown of the marriage and by extension the family has caused me untold grief, turmoil and pain and I am surprised and saddened that the Petitioner (Mrs Maina) has chosen to attribute the breakdown of the marriage to me.’
He said he loved both his wife and his sons deeply and would never place any ‘anguish, psychological torture and drama’ on their lives.
Mr Maina and his cousin maintain their innocence in the situation surrounding his estranged wife’s death, with their lawyer stating as many as 10 people can place her husband in his office at the time of her murder.
Police are investigating the possibility of the incident being a random attack or a planned act.
Mr Maina and his cousin maintain their innocence in the situation surrounding his estranged wife’s death, with their lawyer stating as many as 10 people can place her husband in his office at the time of her murder