A former student of the Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVTTI) in Eldoret has moved the court with a chilling account of how her former boyfriend allegedly orchestrated a vicious acid attack against her.
Bevaline Jelimo Sum, who was pursuing a diploma in electrical engineering, told the court that her ex-boyfriend, Tonny Kimwetich Kangogo, allegedly poured sulphuric acid on the left side of her neck after she ended their romantic relationship over undisclosed issues.
Testifying before Eldoret Principal Magistrate Keyne Odhiambo, Sum recalled that the horrifying incident occurred on July 28, 2025, in the SOS area of Kapsoya Estate, Uasin Gishu County, leaving her fighting for her life in a private hospital.
She told the packed courtroom that following the breakup, the accused had allegedly subjected her to threats and intimidation.
Sum said the attack happened so swiftly that she was unable to identify her attacker immediately. She added that she only regained consciousness after a good Samaritan rushed her to a private hospital for emergency treatment.
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The court heard that the accused later sent Ksh11,000 through her elder sister’s mobile phone number to assist with her hospital bill, but the money was returned on the instructions of her parents.
According to court proceedings, Sum’s parents spent more than Ksh1 million on treatment for the severe injuries she sustained in the acid attack.
The court was further told that after the alleged attack, the accused fled the scene and proceeded to college to sit his final electrical engineering examination paper.
Kangogo denied the charge of causing grievous harm during plea-taking and was released on a bond of Ksh50,000 or an alternative cash bail of Ksh20,000.
The prosecution has lined up four key witnesses, including a medical doctor from Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) who attended to the complainant, as well as the investigating officer.
The case has been adjourned to July 28, 2026, for further hearing.
By Juma Ndigo
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