The Ministry of Gender has condemned an incident in Busia County, where a young man, a driver along the Kisumu–Busia Highway, was allegedly scalded with hot water by his spouse.
Gender Cabinet Secretary Hanna Wendot in a post on Sunday, emphasized that gender-based violence, regardless of gender, is a violation of human rights and a grave assault on human dignity.
“The Ministry condemns such acts in the strongest terms and reiterates that no one is exempt from protection, justice, and support,” Wendot said.
In a viral video seen by Radio Generation, the man said he was sleeping after a disagreement with his spouse when he woke up at around 2 a.m. feeling intense heat.
Upon searching for his wife and child, he found no one in the house and ran to a neighbour’s home to seek help, where he asked for cold water to cool what he thought was a fever.
He said at the time he did not realize he had been scalded with hot water.
The man explained that a boda boda rider later assisted him and took him to hospital, adding that his wife had deliberately taken his phone to prevent him from calling for help.
In the video, the victim, visibly in pain, is seen with burn injuries on his face and hands.
CS Wendot said her ministry is coordinating closely with law enforcement, health services, and other relevant agencies to ensure a full and thorough investigation is conducted, that the survivor receives immediate medical and psychosocial care, and that the perpetrator is held fully accountable under Kenyan law.
She also reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to preventing and eliminating all forms of gender-based violence and safeguarding the rights and dignity of every individual in the country.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, including from Nairobi County Chief Officer in charge of the Citizen Engagement and Customer Service Department, Geoffrey Mosiria.
“I have seen this video trending online, and it is deeply disturbing that the criminal who burned this man is still walking free. No man or woman deserves such inhumane treatment,” he said.
He also called for the public to volunteer any information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect, who remains at large.
"I do not know where the suspect is, but anyone with information about her whereabouts should come forward. If the person responsible for this cruel act is still at large, then the relevant authorities must explain why justice has not yet been served," Mosiria said.
