Nairobi: Woman in court for pouring boiling oil on neighbour who copied her hairstyle

A woman is facing charges of causing grievous harm for allegedly pouring boiling cooking oil on her neighbour and dislocating her jaw over accusations of copying her hairstyle.

Catherine Wanjiru allegedly scalded Sherry Nyanchomba on January 16 at their residence in Dandora, Nairobi, according to a report by NTV.

Nyanchomba was returning home late in the night when she met Wanjiru at their residence’s gate. The suspect then allegedly accused her of copying her hairstyle by dying her hair similar to hers.

Wanjiru is said to have gone to a nearby fish vendor’s stand, scooped the hot oil and allegedly poured it on Nyanchomba’s face before the two got into a fight.

The suspect then allegedly grabbed the victim’s jaw and pulled it, causing a dislocation of her teeth. The fight was stopped by neighbours who intervened.

Nyanchomba was rushed to a nearby clinic where she was treated and referred to the Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital. She was treated and reported the matter to the police.

Wanjiru was summoned and arrested after police concluded investigations into the incident.

Appearing before Senior Principal Magistrate Justus Kituku of the Makadara Law Courts, the woman faced charges of causing grievous harm contrary to Section 234 of the Penal Code.

She denied the charges and was released on a bond of Ksh.50,000 and an alternative cash bail of Ksh.20,000.

The case is set for mention on March 6 before the hearing starts on May 30.