Woman seeks justice after husband assaulted her, inflicted injuries on her head, back and arms

Pauline Wambaire is seeking justice after she was brutally assaulted by her husband three days ago in Laikipia County.

The 33-year-old mother of seven says this is not the first time she has been sexually assaulted by her husband, Joseph Gichane.

However, she is adamant that the matter is now out of hand and she has been forced to seek refuge at a Good Samaritan’s house.

Speaking to Citizen TV on Wednesday, Pauline recounted how the husband asked her to accompany him home from the trading centre.

On the way, she said he sexually assaulted her and inflicted injuries on her head, back and both arms.

“When we got married, life looked promising as we would support each other through thick and thin… But things took a turn for the worst and the man started physically assaulting me for no apparent reason,” Pauline said.

She intimated how she recently requested Gichane to let her look for a lighter job since she could no longer undertake heavy duties due to painful arms: a result of a previous beating.

Her request was denied and she says she received a thorough beating. However, on realizing how much he had injured her, Pauline says the husband took her to Ndindika Health Centre to seek treatment.

The couple was apparently turned back with health officers saying the matter was an assault case and they ought to have had a P3-Form from the police to warrant treatment.

The husband is said to have then sought help from a private dispensary where she was treated.

Elizabeth Muthoni, who hosted Pauline when she fled from her home, narrated how the woman emerged at her house on Saturday without her clothes on.

Initially when she tried to enquire what had happened, Pauline was unable to reveal the cause of her distress.

She later opened up after a few hours later and it was then that they reported the matter at Kinamba Police Station.

The suspect, 37-year-old Joseph Gichane, is yet to be arrested as he is said to be in hiding.

A police officer at the station who requested anonymity confirmed that this was not the first time the man had committed the crime.

Pauline is calling on the government to ensure that she gets justice and that the suspect is brought to book.

Cases of gender based violence in the country, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been on the rise.

According to the Public Service and Gender CS Margaret Kobia, between January and March 2021, the ministry recorded 877 cases of gender based violence.

Reports from the ministry indicate that there is a high prevalence in Nairobi, Kakamega, Kisumu, Nakuru and Kiambu counties.

Last year, there were 5,009 GBV cases reported up from 1,411 the previous years.

Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu termed GBV as a national crisis which must be addressed by all leaders.