KISII, Kenya – Police in Kisii have arrested a man known as Elvis Opiyo who they claim planned the acid attack on gospel singer Mary Claire that has left her in a local hospital with extensive injuries. Police state that Opiyo has been detained for five days while an attempted murder charge is prepared for him.
The attacked, which has sparked outrage across Kenya, was carried out after the gospel singer was allegedly ambushed and doused with acid by an attacker and then taken to hospital where she is receiving treatment for her burns.
The attack on the gospel singer is said to have been premeditated following an ongoing relationship argument the suspects allegedly had with Ms Claire. Opiyo is described as Ms Claire’s ex-boyfriend and police are checking records of telephone and other accounts to ascertain whether he personally directed the incident or was complicit in orchestrating it with other individuals.
Opiyo is also linked with a previous incident which involved the same Ms Claire. Investigators familiar with the case stated that the said incident did not follow up and they are currently working on reopening that investigation.
The suspect and the singer are believed to have known each other for many years and Opiyo was said to have supported Claire’s studies with an expectation of marriage thereafter, the writer has been told by people close to the investigation. Tensions allegedly arose after Ms Claire decided to further her career and pursue different interests, it is also alleged she had relationships with other people.
These accusations are yet to be substantiated and confirmed in court, say the police. The investigators are also in the process of tracking down the person who physically performed the acid attack. They state they have several leads concerning the incident.
There has been national attention surrounding the attack of Ms Claire with numerous women’s rights groups in Kenya seeking that justice should be delivered without delay and more protection measures be implemented for cases of violence. Acid attacks while not frequent have caused outrage on other occasions due to their lasting physical and psychological damage.
Medical practitioners stated that the condition of the victim has stabilized and she continues to be looked after closely. It has not been established what the full nature of the injuries were but insiders stated the woman will require significant care for a long time.
In the meantime, the Opiyo remains in police custody while authorities work to bring all the necessary pieces of information together for the prosecution who are to bring forward charges after his detention expires.
