A 34-year-old-man accused of chopping off the hands of his wife because they could not have children probably had ‘fertility issues’ himself.
Stephen Ngila Nthenge was on Monday charged with attempted murder of his wife of seven years Jackline Mwende, 27.
Ngila who was arraigned at Wamunyu law courts denied the charge but was remanded until August 5.
He allegedly viciously Mwende with a panga on the evening of July 24 for not having a child. He also cut her on the head and face.
For the man, a tailor at Masii town, he had already moved out of their matrimonial house three months ago only to return on July 24 to stage the attack.
According to Mwende, they had gone to the hospital last year and Ngila, allegedly, was the one who had reproductive issues- which doctors said could be corrected.
“I could not understand why he was blaming me yet we had gone to hospital last year and the doctors had said he was the one with issues, which could be corrected,” said Mwende as quoted by Nairobi News.
The man was arrested on Monday, July 25 in Machakos town hours after he fled his home in Masii.
Mwende who is now at her father’s Kathama home after being discharged from Machakos Level 5 Hospital on Friday says Ngila was a kind and God-fearing man.
“He taught me how to make dresses and clothes. We fell in love during this time and we had a church wedding three months later,” she said.
She says the man gradually became violent and a drunk and started spending more time in Masii town only going home late at night, drunk and violent.
“He also chewed miraa. When he attacked me on Sunday, he was drunk. But I stayed because I wanted to save the marriage and my home,” she was quoted by the Nation.
This is not the first case of domestic violence turning lethal as similar cases have been on the rise in the country.
Counsellors advice that if spouses become physically abusive, separation is important and eventually divorcing could be an answer.
Fida has already condemned the act calling on responsible authorities to ensure justice prevails.