Eldoret man who poured acid on estranged girlfriend causing lifetime harm charged

Suspect Tonny Kimwetich Kangor when he appeared before court in Eldoret./MATHEWS NDANYI

A man who allegedly poured acid on his former girlfriend, causing grievous harm and lifelong injuries, has been charged before a court in Eldoret.

Tonny Kimwetich Kangor is accused of committing the offence on July 28, 2025, at the SOS area in Kapsoya location, Ainabkoi Sub-county, Uasin Gishu County.

The 24-year-old denied the charge of causing grievous harm to the 23-year-old woman when he appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Odhiambo Gweno.

“It’s not true, Your Honour,” he told the court.

According to statements filed in court by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the two were students at the Rift Valley Technical Training Institute in Eldoret and were sitting their final examinations at the time of the incident.

They had previously been in a relationship that later turned sour, prompting them to part ways. The woman told investigators that the man had threatened her on several occasions.

On the material day, the victim was walking from Kapsoya Estate to college to sit her exams when she heard someone calling her near the institution. She turned and realised it was her former boyfriend.

She said she had been threatened before and, upon seeing him, increased her walking speed, but the suspect caught up with her.

The woman said she turned to look back when the man suddenly poured acid on part of her face, causing immediate burns.

She screamed for help as the attacker fled. A fellow student who was passing by rushed to the scene and took her to the college clinic, from where she was referred to St Luke’s Hospital for specialised treatment.

The suspect was later arrested while sitting his exams at the college.

The victim has since been undergoing treatment for serious burns on the left side of her head, neck and arm.

Magistrate Gweno questioned the delay in charging the suspect, but the prosecution said investigations took time, including analysis at the Government Chemist.

“The case will be mentioned on February 9 for further directions,” the magistrate directed.

The prosecution asked the court to consider the seriousness of the offence and the harm caused to the victim when setting bail terms.

However, the defence argued that the suspect was not a flight risk, had cooperated with investigators and would attend court when required.

The suspect was released on a Sh50,000 bond with a similar surety or a cash bail of Sh20,000.