A Bungoma health officer fights for life after a brutal attack by an alleged lover has left a family demanding quick justice in western Kenya. The 40-year-old public health worker, Marystella Kong’ani, lies in critical condition at a local hospital following a savage beating at her Wetaya Village home in Khalaba Ward, Kanduyi Constituency, on Wednesday night, March 18, 2026.
Family members say Marystella had just returned from work, eaten supper, and settled in when the intruder struck. Her 19-year-old niece, Sandra Kong’ani, witnessed the horror. According to Sandra, the attacker, identified as Bashir Biketi, a man who had been a regular visitor to the house since January, broke in through a window.
He dragged Marystella into her bedroom and unleashed a barrage of blows, kicks, and choking that left her screaming for help. Sandra begged him to stop, but he threatened her, snatched her phone, and fled with the house and car keys by jumping the perimeter wall as neighbours rushed over.
Police at Musikoma Station recorded the incident under OB number 18/19/3/2026. Officers confirm the suspect remains on the run while they search the area.
The family says there may be a personal reason for the crime that has to do with their relationship, but no arrests have been made yet. Reports say that Biketi was or is a romantic partner, but early reports don’t give many details about the relationship.
Many people are wondering if jealousy or a love dispute was involved because of the attack’s severity and because similar things have happened in Kenya, where emotions turn violent.
Marystella works as a dedicated health officer at a hospital in Bungoma, often helping communities with public wellness programmes. Her colleagues describe her as committed and kind, making the news hit even harder in her workplace.
She now battles serious injuries that doctors call life-threatening. Family members keep vigil at her bedside, praying for recovery while pushing authorities to track down the assailant fast.
This case is part of a sad pattern of violence against women in the area. Neighbours and family are shocked that someone they know could do such harm.
Sandra’s story shows how scary it was at the time, when the attacker didn’t listen to pleas and ran away into the night. The police are asking anyone who knows where Biketi is to come forward. They promise to look into the matter fully. The family are open about their pain and fear. They want the police to catch the suspect and hold them accountable so that Marystella can heal without worrying about what will happen next.
Leaders in Kanduyi want stronger protections against these kinds of attacks because they know how often family fights turn into hospital stays or worse. Local groups are already getting people to support them by collecting messages of support and calls to end violence against women.
People share her picture with prayers and anger that the suspect got away. Some people wonder why the relationship might have missed warning signs. Some people say that police should respond more quickly in rural areas, where help sometimes comes too late.
For now, the focus is still on her recovery. The doctors are keeping a close eye on her, and the family hopes she gets better. The suspect’s flight casts a shadow over Wetaya Village, and the people there are on edge until he is found.