BY ANGELA R. KIURA
A 27-year-old woman from Kiritiri in Mbeere South Constituency has died after sustaining severe burn injuries in an acid attack carried out by unknown assailants on Saturday morning.
Jackline Wanjiru Ireri succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment at Embu Level 5 Hospital, where she had been rushed in critical condition shortly after the incident.
According to boda boda operator John Juma, who was carrying her at the time of the attack, they were travelling along the road when they were intercepted by two men on a motorcycle.
Juma alleged that the attackers, who were riding at high speed, overtook them before suddenly slowing down and splashing a corrosive substance on them.
He said the attackers, who were wearing masks, escaped immediately after the incident, making identification difficult.
Some of the substance reportedly splashed onto his face, affecting his eyes and causing him to lose control of the motorcycle, which veered off the road into a ditch.
Juma added that Jackline suffered severe burns after the substance destroyed her clothing and caused extensive injuries across her body.
He managed to seek help at a nearby health facility, where she was given first aid before being referred to Embu Level 5 Hospital.
Jackline’s aunt, Patricia Ndegi, said the family received a distress call around midday informing them that she had been admitted in critical condition.
She described the deceased as a hardworking miraa farmer and a humble young woman who was well known in the Kiritiri community.
Her body has been moved to Gakwegori Mortuary as police launch investigations into the incident.
The attack has sparked outrage among residents, who have condemned the killing and called on security agencies to expedite investigations and bring those responsible to justice.
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