Wife Attacks Husband With Acid as he Sleeps, Blinding Him

Summary: Dan Matakaya was sleeping in his bed in 2013 when his wife doused him in sulphuric acid. When Matakaya jumped out of bed in pain, he was electrocuted. His wife poured water on the floor and on connected power devices. Matakaya says he forgives his “dear wife” but pressed charges, which were still pending in 2019. The woman, who hasn’t been named, says she doesn’t know why she attacked her husband.

STORY-

In 2013, Dan Matakaya was a 21-year-old police officer in Kenya when a woman walked into the station where he worked. He was mesmerized by her beauty and told her so. The two began dating and were married a few years later.

Couple’s Son Dies

The first few years of marriage were great. The couple rarely argued though Matakaya spent a lot of time away from home for his position with the police department. After the death of the couple's first son shortly after his birth, the relationship quickly went downhill.

Matakaya’s Wife Visits

On September 21, 2013, Matakaya’s wife visited while he was stationed in Kisii. The two argued over the best way to dispose of their deceased son’s clothing. Matakaya let it blow off and thought things were fine between them. When he returned home from work, he climbed into bed, snuggled with his wife, and closed his eyes.

Matakaya’s Face is Burned

Matakaya was startled awake by a burning sensation on his face. He touched his face and immediately began searching for water to ease the unbearable pain. The second Matakaya touched the floor, he felt even more pain. Matakaya screamed loud enough that the neighbors came to help.

His wife had doused Matakaya in sulphuric acid. She then poured water on the floor and on connected power sources, electrocuting her husband when he stood up.

The Road to Recovery

Matakaya was transferred to the hospital and later airlifted to Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi for specialized treatment. His body was 18% covered in third-degree burns. The acid blinded Matakaya and closed his nostrils. He would endure 15 surgeries to stabilize him until his February 2014 release.

Matakaya was admitted into the hospital once again and underwent five more surgeries.

During this time, he said he became suicidal and that even doctors gave up hope after an unsuccessful surgery to reopen his nostrils. After speaking to other patients in the burn center at the hospital, he found his courage and became a survivor of domestic violence determined to make it out of a bad situation. He learned that he had so much left to offer in this world.

The Dan Shieshie Foundation

Matakaya’s life has dramatically changed since the attack. While he struggled with self-image, lost friends who thought he was dependent on them, and lost a woman he loved, he has used his experience to help other men.

In 2016, Matakaya founded the Dan Shieshie Foundation to help men involved in violent or unsettling marriages.

Dan said that he forgave his “Dear wife” for the attack, but pressed charges against her. Sadly, the case has dragged on for several years and by 2019, still has not been to trial.

Kenya Domestic Violence Resources

The following gender-based hotlines offer 24-hour support, guidance, and other help for both men and women in Kenya who are victims of violence. There is no cost to access any of the hotlines on this list.

https://gender.go.ke/gender-based-violence-family-protection/

The National GBV helpline 1195,

Police helpline 999/112,

Childline Kenya helpline 116,

UWIANO SMS Platform 10,

Kimbilio GBV helpline 1193,

LVCT one 2 one youth helpline 1190 and

FIDA SMS platform 21661.

Worldwide Domestic violence Resources

US: www.thehotline.org -24-hour confidential domestic violence help for men and women 1-800-799-SAFE

UK: www.nationaldahotline.org.uk Free confidential help and resources available 24-hours 0808 2000 24