Scottish man gets life sentence for murdering Kenyan wife

A Scottish court has sentenced a man to life in prison over the brutal murder of his Kenyan wife in South Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Walter Buchanan, 66, choked to death Darrel Odhiambo, 36, at their flat in February 2023 following a domestic dispute.

The High Court in Glasgow heard how she suffered significant compression of her neck and brain injury, as well as a rib fracture. Forensic experts concluded that the mother of one had died due to manual strangulation and smothering.

Buchanan had, however, denied murdering his wife of six years before the High Court in Glasgow found him guilty in January.

"As you have already been told, the sentence for murder is fixed by law. I must now impose that sentence upon you. I sentence you to imprisonment for life," said Justice Lord Cubie.

During sentencing, Justice Cubie told him of the pain that he caused her family.

"I have read from victim impact statements of the loss and suffering that you have left her relatives with. You have caused huge upset and upheaval," he said. 

Alleged infidelity

The court heard that Odhiambo confronted Buchanan about alleged infidelity and an argument ensued, before escalating to a violent attack. 

"She may have harboured unfair suspicions about where and with whom you were; I emphasise that her actions or words provide no justification, provocation or explanation for what happened," the judge remarked.

After her death, abusive text messages from Buchanan were found on her mobile phone, including one which read: “I hope you die you black ***”.

Moira Orr, who leads on homicide and major crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said Odhiambo was a loving mother, daughter, sister and friend who had the right to be safe in her relationship and home.  

“But instead, she was murdered by her husband...whose wicked actions have robbed her of her future.”  

Buchanan was said to have expressed remorse, but Judge Cubie noted: "I have no doubt that you regret what happened and that you wish you could turn the clock back, but the jury found your actions at the time to be murderous. And it was revealing that in your evidence, you described the events as a nightmare for you; you were concerned about consequences for yourself."

The couple met in 2015 while Buchanan was on holiday in Thailand. They married two years later.

hkimuyu@ke.nationmedia.com