Ex-Football Coach Found Guilty Of Murder Of Famous Harambee Stars Fan

The Kakamega High Court on Friday, June 2 found 27-year-old Milton Namatsi guilty of murdering famous AFC Leopards and Harambee Stars fan, Isaac Juma.

Namatsi, a relative of the deceased was the coach of Musejere FC and was popularly known as Maji.  

Juma was 58 years old at the time of his death and was hacked to death at his home in Bukaya village on January 27, 2022, by people believed to be his relatives.

During the ruling, the presiding judge, William Musyoka told the court that the prosecution had proven the case beyond any reasonable doubt and found Mr. Namatsi culpable of the murder charges against him.

Milton Namatsi before the High Court in Kakamega on Friday, June 2, 2023, where he was found guilty of the murder of renowned football fan Isaac Juma. /STANDARD DIGITAL

“Five witnesses testified against the accused and their testimony is binding. Having considered that, you are found guilty of the offence of murder.

"I, therefore, order that the probation department gives a social evaluation report of his conduct before he is sentenced on September 25," Justice Musyoka ruled.

According to the judge, Namatsi faces up to life imprisonment and will be given time to mitigate before sentencing.

In their testimony, the investigating officers said that Juma died from excessive bleeding after being hit several times on the head.

"The 58-year-old and his family had just eaten at his home.  At some point that night, his children who were taking their supper outside the house, reported seeing silhouettes of human beings lurking near the fence."

“Moments later, they heard a commotion in the sheep’s pen. The sheep began bleating, prompting Juma and his 17-year-old son to dash outside to see what was happening," testified the investigation officer.

It was during this commotion that men, armed with machetes emerged and hacked Juma to death with his son barely escaping with his life.

Sources stated that Juma’s death was caused by a land dispute with his family. It was said that the late Juma had disagreements with the brother and sister over land boundaries.

The neighbours stated that the siblings were angered when the late brought government officials to settle a boundary dispute and believed that the action prompted a plot against Juma that resulted in his death.

Juma left behind two widows and 10 children. His love for football can be traced way back to 1987 when he started painting his body and appearing during football matches involving AFC Leopards or Harambee Stars which he hardly missed.

He was also a common feature during national day celebrations.

Follow Flashscore.co.ke for Live Football Scores

The late Isaac Juma during a past AFC Leopards match. /CAPITAL GROUP