A woman in Kiambu County is recovering from burn injuries after her partner allegedly poured hot water on her face.
This incident adds to the growing concern over gender-based violence, just days after Uganda Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei succumbed to burn injuries allegedly inflicted by her partner.
After spending 14 days in the hospital, 29-year-old Nelly Wanjiku’s daily routine of drinking eight to ten liters of water has become essential to her recovery. Wanjiku recalls the night of August 29th, 2024, when her partner attacked her.
“I was on a long phone call with my parents, and I believe he had tried calling several times without getting through. He showed up at my door at 11pm, hugged me, and went straight to the kitchen. I think he was looking for knives. I asked if he was hungry, and he said yes. He also said he wanted hot water to drink since he had been outside in the cold. He heated water in the kettle, and once it boiled, he splashed it on my face,” Wanjiku said.
Quick instincts led Wanjiku to run to her baby’s nanny, who was holding her daughter. She shouted for the nanny to take the child and leave the house. Her plan worked, but her attacker wasn’t finished.
“He splashed the remaining boiling water on my back, and the pain doubled. I ran to the tap for cold water, but it wasn’t running. He watched me struggle, emotionless, as I began losing consciousness,” she explained.
Neighbors eventually heard her cries and rushed her to the hospital, while her attacker fled.
Photographs of Wanjiku and the man she identifies as Simon Mwangi Maina show happier days when their relationship was strong. During that time, Wanjiku, with her finance background, helped Simon start a business and housed him temporarily after his home was robbed.
The relationship began to deteriorate when Wanjiku refused to take things further.
“He wanted to move in, but I didn’t think it was the right time. I told him he needed to get his finances in order first. I wasn’t pushing him away, but I didn’t want us to live together,” she said.
Simon has since gone into hiding, with reports placing him in various parts of the country. Until he is found, Wanjiku remains cautious but has found solace in her faith, believing that her ordeal might help protect others.
“I told God that if the pain I endured can save other women from him, I’ll take it. His target was to kill me, but I refused to die. My biggest fear was that my daughter wouldn’t recognize me, but I thank God for my healing,” she said.
Wanjiku reported the incident to Kiambu Police Station under OB number 03/29/08/2024. Authorities urge anyone with information on Simon’s whereabouts to come forward. NTV reached out to Simon’s last known contacts for his response, but his phones were switched off.
According to the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis, as of February 2024, 34% of women have experienced gender-based violence from as young as 15 years old.
Despite suffering burns on 25% of her body, Wanjiku has amazed her doctors, fellow patients, and herself with her recovery. Her daughter remains her guiding light as she heals from the trauma that changed her life.
