Woman jailed 15 years for scalding husband

By Philip Muasya and Daniel Nzia

Mwingi,Kenya: A woman, who scalded her husband with hot water after a domestic row was jailed for 15 years by a Mwingi court.

Mercy Katunge from Thokoa village, Migwani District in Kitui County was convicted yesterday by Resident Magistrate Irene Gichobi for the offence committed on April 6.  The court heard Katunge’s husband Mr Pius Mulwa had visited his estranged wife at her parents’ home where she was staying after a domestic row.

He had gone to reconcile with his wife so that they could return to their matrimonial home, the court was told.

When Mulwa arrived at her in-law’s homestead, they held a brief discussion but shortly a bitter quarrel erupted between him and his wife.  And while he was walking out of the compound his wife dashed to the kitchen and fetched hot water which he poured on Mulwa.

He sustained severe burns on the neck, back.

Mulwa was rescued by villagers who rushed him to Migwani Sub District Hospital where he was treated and referred to Mwingi District Hospital.

In mitigation, Katunge told the magistrate she acted out of anger saying her husband battered her.

The magistrate ruled that Katunge’s action was beastly and she deserved severe punishment.