How Group Discussion Resulted To Death Of First Year University Admitted To School Recently

First-year Pwani University student Faith Adongo Owino was allegedly stabbed to death for her phone just days after joining campus, in a tragic incident that shocked students and staff.

Faith, a first-year Bachelor of Arts in Literature student, had been at the university for only about four days when her life was cut short.

On Friday, October 20, 2023, she reportedly left her residence in the Misufuni area of Kilifi Town at around 8 a.m. to attend a group discussion on campus. Later, she met a friend before spending several hours with another female friend in the Kibaoni area.

At around 7:30 p.m., while heading back to her residence through the university grounds, Faith was allegedly attacked near the main library along the Misufuni Road stretch.

The assailants reportedly stabbed her several times, including in the neck, before taking her phone and leaving her bleeding heavily.

Her screams attracted the attention of nearby students and members of the public, who rushed to her aid. She was taken to Mephi Hospital for first aid before being transferred to Kilifi County Teaching and Referral Hospital because of the severity of her injuries and heavy blood loss.

An urgent appeal was made for blood group A+ as doctors fought to save her life. Despite the efforts, Faith succumbed to her injuries later that night, reportedly between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Police launched investigations into the killing, with officers visiting the scene and recording statements from witnesses.

In the days that followed, two third-year Pwani University students, Joshua Nambuye and Nelson Sifuma, were identified as suspects. Sifuma was arrested and reportedly led investigators to his rented house, where Faith’s mobile phone was recovered.

Her death sparked mourning across Pwani University, with students and staff later holding a candle-lighting ceremony and fundraiser in her memory.

Concerns were also raised over insecurity along the Misufuni stretch and the university’s porous perimeter, which students and residents said had contributed to security concerns in the area.

Faith was later laid to rest at her rural home in Homa Bay.

The suspects remain subject to due legal process, and there has been no final conviction in the case.