Matata’s Marcus Ojiambo has finally opened up about his past romantic relationship with Ruth Kamande — the beauty queen who was sentenced to death in one of Kenya’s most infamous murder cases.
The celebrated Kenyan musician revealed intimate details of how their love story began in Nairobi’s Dandora estate, long before Kamande became a household name for the tragic and shocking killing of her boyfriend in 2015.
The Love Story That Started in Dandora
Speaking in an emotional interview, Marcus Ojiambo described Ruth Kamande as his very first girlfriend and first love. Back then, she was known for her athletic skills, holding a black belt in Taekwondo, and was, according to Marcus, “someone very dear to me.”
“Ruth Kamande was my first love… my first girlfriend. We met when we were young, and we were genuine friends. She could even sleep over at our home,” Marcus recalled.
The pair shared youthful innocence, but their relationship took a painful turn. Marcus revealed that their breakup was triggered by infidelity on Kamande’s part, leading him to date her cousin afterward.
The Murder Case That Shocked Kenya
Years later, Marcus was stunned to hear that Ruth Kamande had been charged with the murder of her boyfriend, Farid Mohammed. The incident, which occurred in Buruburu, Nairobi, involved 25 stab wounds, making it one of the most brutal cases in recent Kenyan criminal history.
During her trial, Kamande claimed she acted in self-defense after discovering that her boyfriend was HIV positive. However, the High Court dismissed her defence and, in 2018, she was sentenced to death.
From Beauty Queen to Death Row Inmate
While awaiting trial, Ruth Kamande’s life took an unexpected turn when she was crowned Miss Lang’ata Women’s Prison in 2016. The glamorous title stood in stark contrast to the dark charges she faced, drawing nationwide attention and fueling public debate over her case.
Her conviction cemented her place in Kenyan legal history, not only for the crime but for the cultural and media frenzy surrounding it.
Marcus Ojiambo’s Unwavering Connection
Despite the horrific nature of the crime, Marcus revealed that he has visited Kamande in prison several times. He admitted to a deep personal conflict — struggling to reconcile the woman he loved with the one portrayed in court.
“There is part of me that believes her… because of how I knew her as a person. Maybe I didn’t know the other side,” he said.
Why This Story Still Captivates Kenya
The combination of love, betrayal, beauty, and murder continues to make the Ruth Kamande case one of the most talked-about in Kenya’s modern history. Marcus Ojiambo’s candid revelations add a deeply human layer to a story often told only through legal and media lenses.
His account not only reopens public curiosity but also challenges the black-and-white perception of guilt and innocence, leaving many to question: Who was the real Ruth Kamande?
