Nairobi News

A chilling domestic dispute between lovers turned tragic as 20-year-old Mercy Momanyi found herself nursing burns at a hospital in Kisii County.

The incident unfolded on Wednesday, August 22, 2023, at their home in Mosocho, Kitutu Chache South.

Ms Momanyi had been in a long-distance relationship with Mr Sheldon Ombongi Okerosi for two years.

Mr Okerosi, who had recently returned to Kenya from the United States of America (USA), had made a stopover at the house they shared in Syokimau Estate, Nairobi County, before they visited his parents in Kisii County.

Nairobi News has established that Mr Okerosi used to pay the rent and bills for the lover even after he left for the USA.

Also read: Man awaits lengthy sentence for injuring wife in domestic fight

They then made the decision to visit Mr Okerosi’s parents in Kisii County. Little did she know that they would sometimes differ and leave her nursing burn wounds at a hospital in Kisii County.

Speaking exclusively to Nairobi News, Ms Momanyi, who is still in pain, could excuse herself for some minutes to compose herself and then go ahead to wipe the tears running down her face using a piece of cloth.

What seemed like a loving relationship took a dark turn when Ms Momanyi discovered suggestive text messages on Mr Okerosi’s phone, indicating his involvement with other women.

Determined to salvage their relationship, she confronted him about the messages on a chilly Wednesday afternoon, leading to a heated argument.

The confrontation escalated as Mr Okerosi turned physically violent, ultimately injuring Ms Momanyi.

Fearing the consequences of his action, he locked up the bruised Ms Momanyi inside their bedroom to prevent her from informing his mother, Ms Peninah Atemba, about the incident.

Ms Momanyi remained locked in the room until 6 pm when she managed to convince Mr Okerosi to open the door, expressing forgiveness and a desire to continue their relationship.

Also read: Man in trouble for destroying house in domestic brawl

However, when she began talking to Ms Atemba in the kitchen, Mr Okerosi grew suspicious that she might reveal what had transpired.

In a fit of rage, Mr Okerosi grabbed a pot of boiling water from the gas stove and poured it on Ms Momanyi.

“He was furious as he questioned my motives and why I had decided to go ahead and tell his mother what he had done. He then reached out for hot water which was boiling on a gas and poured it on me,” she said.

Her burns could have been even more severe had Ms Atemba not been standing in front of her at that moment.

Undeterred by his violent actions, Mr Okerosi – whose classmates at Nyambaria Boys High School in Nyamira County have described as very humble – dragged Ms. Momanyi out of the kitchen and resumed his physical assault, repeatedly slamming her head against the floor.

“He was busy hitting my head on the floor and as I wailed for help, his sisters rushed to the scene and started calling for help. That is when he let me go,” she said.

Neighbors rushed both Ms Momanyi and Ms Atemba to Bosongo Hospital, where they were admitted for medical treatment.

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Meanwhile, Ms Momanyi informed her mother, Ms Cynthia Moraa, about the incident while at the hospital.

Ms Moraa – who lives in Nyanchwa Area of Kisii County – then contacted Ms Brilliant Momanyi, Ms Momanyi’s eldest sister, urging her to return home immediately.

Shockingly, the incident was not reported to the police until four days later, when Ms Brilliant filed a report at Mosocho Police Station.

The case has been recorded under Occurrence Book (OB) number 9/27/8/2023. The suspect remained missing throughout this time and had not communicated with the victim.

Doctors at the hospital have reported that Ms Momanyi suffered burns covering 10 percent of her body, and her health is gradually improving.

The family is now seeking financial assistance to cover the high medical bills and seeking justice for the victim.

“We are happy that my sister is now getting better, and all I can say for now is that it will be better if she gets justice. The hospital bill is also very high, and we are seeking help to clear the bills,” she said.

Look out for part two: How Sheldon Okerosi’s kin tried to stop the victim from pursuing justice as he informed close friends that he was jetting back to the USA.

Also read: Teen wife charged with manslaughter after fatal domestic fight