A Nyeri mother of two is recovering after she was allegedly struck by a vehicle driven by her former husband outside her home in Skuta, in an incident police are now investigating as attempted murder.
Susan Kanyuira had lived independently with her two children since separating from her husband in 2023, citing violence and infidelity as her reasons for leaving the marriage. She had since settled quietly into a rented home in the area, raising her children without seeking any financial support from her former partner.
According to accounts shared with rights advocate Westkagu Jacque, the incident unfolded last Wednesday after her ex-husband, identified as Christopher, offered to help pick up their children from school for the August holidays. Susan agreed on condition that she accompany him throughout.
The family spent time together that evening, sharing a meal before Christopher drove them home. Once there, he reportedly pressed to be let inside the house multiple times, a request Susan repeatedly declined.
She later agreed to accompany him briefly into town to discuss matters concerning the children. A nationwide power blackout during that outing left her anxious about her children at home, prompting her to ask to return.
Back at the property, tension resurfaced when Christopher again asked to enter the house and was again turned down. He then allegedly attempted to drive off with some of her belongings still inside the vehicle, including her phone.
Susan stepped in front of the car in an effort to retrieve her items. She was allegedly struck and run over in the process.
Christopher reportedly took her to Nyeri Provincial General Hospital afterward, where she received initial treatment before being referred to Karatina General Hospital for further care. He allegedly told police he had come across her after she was hit by a different vehicle, an account investigators say did not hold up under scrutiny.
While Susan was unconscious, her children were reportedly taken from the scene despite resisting, according to family members who later assisted police in tracing them. Officers eventually located the children at Christopher’s home and reunited them with their mother, after which they were placed under care to receive psychosocial support.
The case has been logged with police, and Christopher was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He appeared in court and was released on cash bail of one hundred thousand shillings.
Susan’s case has since been forwarded to relevant authorities for further action, as she begins what is expected to be a lengthy recovery process.