A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to three decades behind bars for viciously attacking his former girlfriend with acid, causing permanent blindness.

Senior Resident Magistrate Gladys Olimo handed down the verdict, underscoring the irreversible damage inflicted on 23-year-old Fatuma Kaingu.

Despite Mohamed Mwarandu Kombe’s insistence on innocence, alleging self-defense and claiming he only splashed liquid soap when attacked, the court deemed his defense inconsistent and declared him guilty.

“The gravity of the offense demands a stern penalty in this instance. Therefore, Kombe is sentenced to 30 years in prison. The window for appeal remains open for 14 days,” declared Olimo.

Medical reports detailing Kaingu’s eye injuries, including infection, swelling, and a laceration on the upper lid resulting in permanent blindness formed the basis for the verdict.

Additionally, Kombe destroyed Kaingu’s phone, valued at KSh 6,000, during their altercation.

Despite appeals for leniency, citing his young family, the court stood firm, stressing the severity of Kombe’s actions and the necessity for incarceration.

The couple’s relationship ended abruptly after Kaingu expressed her disinterest in continuing with Kombe, sparking the violent altercation.

In a separate incident, another man erupted in anger and insulted the judge when an Embu court sentenced him to 25 years in prison for a criminal offense.

The decision took into account his prior criminal history, with the judge offering the opportunity for an appeal if dissatisfied with the ruling.