On most evenings, Mercy Awuor would close her small hotel in Nyalenda, Kisumu County, and begin the familiar walk home, a distance of about three kilometres. It was a routine she trusted, simple and predictable.
But last Friday, that routine was shattered in an instant.
“Two people on a motorbike approached me from the opposite direction. As they passed, the passenger poured a liquid on my face. At first, I thought it was water,” the 34-year-old recalls from her hospital bed.
Within moments, the truth revealed itself in searing pain. Her skin burned intensely, and her clothes began to disintegrate where the liquid had soaked through.
“It was only when my body started burning and my clothes got damaged that I realised it was acidic,” she says.
Mercy Awuor during an interview at the Jaramogi Teaching and Referral Hospital on April 19, 2026 after she was doused with an acid.
Photo credit: Domnic Ombok | Nation
Disoriented and in agony, Ms Awuor ran back towards her workplace screaming for help. A neighbour rushed to her aid, dousing her with water, an act doctors say may have significantly reduced the severity of her injuries.
“That is what helped before I was taken to hospital,” she says.
Later that night, she was admitted to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, where doctors confirmed she had sustained burns covering approximately 45 percent of her body, affecting her neck, chest, breasts and arms.
Before the attack, Ms Awuor’s life revolved around her business. The modest hotel was more than a source of income, but her anchor, her independence. Now, that life has been abruptly paused.
Her days are measured in treatment schedules, pain management and the slow, uncertain arc of recovery.
“I don’t know how my children will report back to school. The business was my everything,” she says quietly.
Doctors warn that recovery from acid burns can take months, sometimes years, often requiring multiple surgeries and prolonged care. Beyond the physical wounds lie deeper scars of emotional trauma and the social challenges that accompany visible disfigurement.
“It’s not just about healing the body. There is also the psychological impact that comes with it,” a hospital official notes.
From her hospital bed, Ms Awuor believes the attack may be rooted in a past conflict.
She recounts a strained relationship with a former friend and distant relative, one that deteriorated over time and was marked by threats.
“She had threatened me before, saying one day she would harm me, but I did not take it seriously,” she says.
According to Ms Awuor, the dispute stemmed from tensions surrounding the woman’s marriage, with accusations that ultimately fractured their relationship. The matter had even been taken before a village elder in an attempt at resolution.
But, she says, the threats never truly ceased.
Police have since launched investigations to determine whether those threats are connected to the attack. The incident has been reported at Kasagam Police Station, and inquiries are ongoing.
In March, a 24-year-old gospel singer, Mary Claire, was attacked in the Utawala area, where acid was allegedly poured on her face and body. A suspect believed to be her estranged partner was later arrested.
While such attacks are not widespread in Kenya, human rights groups warn they are an emerging form of gender-based and retaliatory violence.
“Acid attacks are intended to cause permanent harm. They are often linked to personal disputes relationships, jealousy, or revenge,” says gender advocate Celestine Akinyi.
She notes that the intention is not merely to injure but to leave lasting, visible scars.
Mercy Awuor during an interview at the Jaramogi Teaching and Referral Hospital on April 19, 2026 after she was doused with an acid.
Photo credit: Domnic Ombok | Nation
Acids, widely used in everyday life, from fertiliser production and car batteries to metal cleaning and food processing, are easily accessible. That accessibility, experts warn, makes them vulnerable to misuse.
“Acid burns are particularly dangerous because the chemical continues to destroy tissue until it is fully washed away. The first minutes are critical. Immediate and continuous washing with water can make a significant difference,” says Dr Fredrick Juma, an emergency care clinician.
“When acid touches the body, it causes chemical burns that can worsen over time. That is why quick and correct first aid is essential,” Dr Juma explains.
He adds that the combination of availability and destructive potential makes acid a particularly dangerous weapon when misused, underscoring the need for greater public awareness.
“The first step is to wash the affected area immediately with plenty of clean water for at least 20 to 30 minutes. Do not apply oils, creams, or any other substances,” he advises.
In many cases, he adds, bystanders play a decisive role in those critical first moments, often shaping the course of survival and recovery.
Human rights groups have repeatedly called for stricter controls on the sale and handling of corrosive substances, warning that regulatory gaps continue to place lives at risk.
