Magistrate Who Acquitted Pastor James Ng’ang’a of Woman’s Murder Found Dead in Girlfriend’s Nairobi House

Kisumu Chief Magistrate Godfrey Hillary Oduor is dead.

Oduor was found dead in his girlfriend’s house at River Bank estate in South B, Nairobi on Thursday, according to a report filed at Industrial Area police station.

His girlfriend, Njoki Muhia allegedly found him unresponsive after returning to the house from work at around 6:30 pm.

“On arrival, Njoki found her house closed from inside, and she tried to peep through the bedroom door. Upon checking, she saw her boyfriend namely Godfrey Hillary Oduor, whom she claims to be a chief magistrate at the Kisumu Law Courts, totally asleep but emitting foam on his mouth,” the report reads.

Njoki called police who arrived broke into the house and confirmed Oduor was dead. Police said the magistrate’s body had no visible physical injuries.

The body was moved to City Mortuary as investigations into his death continue.

“We will know what killed him soon after the autopsy is done on the body,” said Makadara head of DCI Henry Kiambati.

Njoki said Oduor moved in with her in September after his house in South C was locked by the landlord due to rent arrears.

Oduor was previously stationed in Kibera, Keroka, Kisii, Limuru, and Nakuru law courts before being redeployed to Kisumu.

In 2015, he came under heavy criticism after he acquitted controversial preacher James Maina Ng’ang’a of Neno Evangelism in a case where he was charged with causing a woman’s death by dangerous driving.

Oduor ruled that the prosecution witnesses presented to the court failed to place Ng’ang’a at the scene of the accident, and could not prove he was driving the Range Rover that killed the victim, Mercy Njeri.

Retiring Chief Justice David Maraga sent a message of condolence to the family and friends of Oduor.

“We are grateful for the time he served the Judiciary and pray that God grants his family the fortitude to bear this loss,” said Maraga in a statement.