A family in Awode Village, Ligega, Siaya County, is seeking justice after their 28-year-old daughter, Pauline Akinyi Otieno, was allegedly attacked and seriously injured by a man said to be her former husband on Sunday, November 8, 2026, in an incident that nearly claimed her life.
Pauline is currently receiving treatment at the Siaya County Referral Hospital, where she was admitted following the attack. Speaking to the Kenya News Agency from her hospital bed, she recounted how she was ambushed while retrieving items from the kitchen, unaware that the suspected attacker was hiding inside.
She said the assailant, who was dressed in black, struck her before attacking her with a machete, inflicting deep cuts to her head and back as she lay helpless on the floor. Her right hand was also severely injured when she attempted to shield her head from further harm.
Pauline said her screams for help attracted the attention of her brothers and neighbours, who rushed to her rescue, prompting the attacker to flee.
She further revealed that she had previously endured a difficult experience while living with the man alleged to have attacked her, forcing her to flee with her child and seek refuge at her mother's home in Siaya.
Siaya County Acting Secretary Elizabeth Adongo, who visited Pauline at the hospital, condemned the incident, describing it as a case of gender-based violence that should not be tolerated.
Adongo said the incident highlighted the continued suffering of women facing gender-based violence in their communities, adding that such acts would not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, Siaya County Referral Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Caleb Otieno said Pauline was admitted in critical condition and underwent approximately five hours of medical attention, including extensive stitching of her injuries.
He confirmed that she was currently stable and undergoing a blood transfusion to replenish the blood lost during the attack.
The family expressed gratitude to the hospital's medical team for their swift response and dedicated care, which they said played a crucial role in saving Pauline's life.
The incident has since been reported to the police, with investigations underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and ensure that the person responsible is brought to justice.
