Nairobi bartender seeks justice after client bites off middle finger over unpaid Sh420 drink

What began as an ordinary evening at a wines and spirits shop in Pipeline, Embakasi, took a disturbing turn when a disgruntled customer allegedly bit off part of the liquor store seller's finger over an unpaid drink.

Alice Muthinda Kithusi, the proprietor of the shop, is now nursing serious injuries following the bizarre assault, which she claims was carried out by Philip Kiprotich Kimeto on October 16.

According to court reports, Kimeto entered the shop and ordered a drink known as "People's Choice," priced at Sh420. He drank it without issue, but when it came time to pay, he allegedly refused.

In an attempt to compel him to settle the bill, Kithusi held onto Kimeto's phone, assuring him it would be returned once the debt was cleared.

That move, however, sparked outrage as Kimeto, who was reportedly under the influence and increasingly aggressive, grabbed her hand and sank his teeth into her middle finger-severing part of it-before escaping.

Kithusi rushed to a nearby chemist for first aid and later sought specialised treatment.

She then filed a report with the police, leading to Kimeto's arrest. He was questioned and arraigned in court, where he pleaded not guilty.

The court granted him a bond of Sh300,000 or an alternative cash bail of Sh150,000. His hearing is set for March next year.

Elsewhere, a man from Roysambu is facing jail time after admitting to giving alcohol to a two-and-a-half-year-old girl.

Samwel Gichu Njambi reportedly handed the toddler a bottle of Blue Ice vodka, urging her to drink quickly. The child, believing it was water, consumed the alcohol. Moments later, she became dizzy and unstable.

He was later arrested and arraigned before Makadara Senior Principal Magistrate Gilbert Shikwe, facing charges of subjecting a child to alcohol on October 16 in Roysambu.

In addition, he has been charged with attempting to assault the child's father, Joseph Kamiti Njeri, with a knife.

According to court documents, the incident occurred while the child was in the company of her mother at their shop. The toddler had asked for drinking water, and her mother, who was outside sewing clothes, told her to wait while she cleaned a cup inside the shop.

Gichu, who was nearby, allegedly took advantage of the situation and handed the unsuspecting girl alcohol, urging her to drink quickly. By the time her mother returned, she found the girl had already consumed the drink.

Moments later, the toddler became dizzy and unstable. The mother caught Gichu red-handed holding the bottle for the child. When she confronted him, Gichu responded arrogantly, claiming that rather than discarding leftover alcohol, he preferred to give it to the thirsty child.

The woman immediately called her husband to inform him of the incident. Upon his arrival, Joseph Kariuki Njeri questioned Gichu about the incident. Gichu allegedly retaliated by grabbing a panga and attempting to strike him. Fortunately, Njeri escaped unhurt.

In court, Gichu pleaded guilty to giving the child alcohol but claimed he had been assaulted and injured by members of the public following the incident. The court acknowledged his admission and directed that the matter be mentioned on October 27.