Woman burnt by husband for getting home late

A 25-year-old woman from Karatina village in Nakuru County is nursing serious injuries at the Nakuru Level 5 Hospital after she was burnt by her husband.

The woman, Lucy Nyira, had traveled to Nairobi on Friday, September 28 to purchase goods for her business and returned on Saturday evening.

Nyira said that she had explained to her husband that she would arrive home late since she was stuck in traffic.


“Nilimpata amefunga mlango akaniambia leo utalala nje na saa hiyo nilikua nimempigia nikitoka nikamwambia kuna jam.…akanigonga kofi akanichapa.… akanimwagilia mafuta kwa macho…. akachukua kiberiti akaniwasha,” said Lucy Nyira.

Loosely translating to

“I found the door locked, he then told me I will sleep outside, I had informed him I was stuck in traffic, he slapped me, smeared petrol to my eyes and set me on fire”.

She further claimed that her husband, Bernard Kariha, who is a year younger than her, had been abusive before in their three years of marriage.

She mentioned that she arrived home at 7 pm which according to her husband was late.

According to doctors, the woman suffered 25% degree burns after her hot-tempered husband allegedly set her ablaze using petrol.

They added that the woman suffered burns on the face, arms, legs and upper body but is currently out of danger.

Nakuru County Police Commander Stephen Matu said that the suspect is currently in custody pending investigations.