A middle-aged woman is nursing deep cuts after being attacked with a panga by her estranged husband in Kaharati area of Murang’a county.
The victim recounted that her husband, now on the run, ambushed her while she was on her way to the market, where she has a green grocery business.
The suspect struck her on the head with the panga, where he left a minor cut as she shielded herself with her hands that instead received severe deep cuts.
The attack, the wife alleged, was premeditated since her husband had always threatened her that he would harm and “kill” her, after their separation in July.
“We have been having arguments, and when we separated, he started to threaten that he would physically assault and kill me. I never thought he would act on his threats until the attack happened,” she said.
Despite receiving treatment at the Murang'a Level 5 Hospital, the woman said that she cannot go back to her normal work life since her left hand requires a surgical intervention that will involve the insertion of a metal implant in her hand, a procedure she said she cannot afford.
"I am a mother of three and relied solely on my greengrocer job to provide for my family. After treatment, I was informed that my right hand would require a metal implant, costing a significant amount of money, which I do not have," she said.
On her part, Everlyn Wairimu, a neighbour, urged the government to improve security in the area to protect women from similar attacks.
She also called on organizations advocating for women's rights to support victims of domestic abuse and reduce cases of depression among women physically assaulted by their spouses.
“Husbands are abusing their wives, and the government and human rights organisations should do more to support and create awareness about the plight of domestically abused women,” Wairimu said.
Together with Njoki Kamau, another resident, Wairimu appealed to the police to expedite the search for the suspect to prevent future harm.
