A 38-year-old woman is receiving intensive care at Naivasha Subcounty Hospital following a severe assault by her husband.
The attack occurred after a dispute over Sh200, with the husband, reportedly intoxicated, using a metal rod to beat her.
Rose Wanja reported that her husband returned home on Monday in a drunken state and accused her of taking Sh200 he claimed he had left behind.
The confrontation quickly escalated, leading to a violent attack with the metal rod in a locked room.
Wanja was rescued two days later when her niece reported the incident to the police, resulting in the husband’s arrest.
Wanja, a mother of three, sustained serious injuries including facial and leg trauma, and a fractured pelvis.
Reflecting on her 22-year marriage, marked by repeated abuse, Wanja expressed profound regret.
This latest incident follows a previous tragedy: nine years ago, her husband was imprisoned for three years after assaulting and killing their two-month-old baby with a metal rod.
Wanja is now advocating for her husband to face legal repercussions, hoping it will discourage similar acts of violence.
Benjamin Mwaura, Deputy Chief Nurse at Naivasha Subcounty Hospital, stated that Wanja was admitted with severe bruises and a fractured pelvis.
While her condition has stabilized, the pelvic injury may require months of recovery, leaving her temporarily unable to walk.
Mwaura highlighted that the hospital regularly deals with cases of gender-based violence, including a recent incident where a woman was severely burned with hot water by her husband.
John Kinuthia, Naivasha Gender-Based Violence Cluster Coordinator, expressed concern over the rising cases of such violence, linking them to mental health issues and economic difficulties.
Kinuthia assured that Wanja will receive safe shelter and psychosocial support to help her recover from the trauma.
He noted a disturbing increase in violence against women in Naivasha, particularly in areas like Kabati, Kinamba, Karati, and Mai Mahiu.
The 2022 Kenya Democratic Health Survey reveals that over 31% of women in Nakuru aged 15-49 who are married or have intimate partners have faced physical, sexual, or emotional violence.
Nationally, more than 40% of women in marriages have experienced physical violence, with many cases resulting in fatalities.
The government has committed to eliminating gender-based violence by 2026 and has introduced several laws to address the issue.
Despite these efforts, reports of violence continue to emerge daily, predominantly affecting women and young girls.
The establishment of gender desks at police stations, supported by NGOs, aims to improve the reporting and handling of such cases.
Advocates are calling for a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach involving communities, civil society, and security agencies to effectively combat gender-based violence.
