Multimedia University student burnt, Sh300,000 allegedly stolen by girlfriend

Love curdled into violence on the eve of Valentine’s Day when a 27-year-old university student was allegedly doused with boiling water by his girlfriend at his rented house in Umoja I Estate, in a late-night attack that has left him hospitalised with severe burns.

Steve Godia, a third-year student at Multimedia University of Kenya, is fighting for his life in a Nairobi hospital after sustaining burns to 21 per cent of his body. Police are investigating the incident as attempted murder and grievous assault.

Speaking from his hospital bed, his face and eyes visibly swollen from the injuries, Steve recounted how what he believed would be a calm meeting to resolve relationship differences allegedly escalated into a near-fatal assault.

“It was my girlfriend who burnt me because she felt like my explanation about my ex-girlfriend was not enough and maybe when I spoke she felt I was being disrespectful,” Godia said weakly.

According to Steve, the woman, whom he identified as Gladwell Kagai, had been in a relationship with him for three years. On the night of February 13, she visited his house following earlier disagreements over suspicions that he was still in contact with a former partner.

He says they initially argued but later appeared to have resolved the matter.
“On the fateful day, we had an argument, but we resolved it. I went to relax and take a nap, and that is when hell broke loose,” he recalled.

Steve alleges that in the dead of night, his girlfriend boiled water and poured it onto his face as he rested. The superheated water left him writhing in pain and unable to see.

“The water was superheated to high temperatures. The next morning, my eyes and my entire face was swollen, I could not see anything. The wounds were aching,” he said.

Moments after the alleged attack, CCTV cameras captured a woman leaving the premises in a hurry. Steve says the footage shows the suspect departing shortly after he screamed for help.
The physical injuries, however, were only part of his ordeal.

As he lay helpless and in excruciating pain, Steve claims the suspect took advantage of his condition to steal two of his mobile phones. He further alleges that she accessed his mobile banking applications and transferred more than Sh300,000 from his account.

“I realised she had stolen my two phones and transferred all the money I had. I had Sh318,000 and she left me with Sh7 only,” he said.

The alleged financial loss has compounded his distress, leaving him not only physically scarred but also financially devastated.

“You will never have peace, wherever you are,” Steve painfully said, directing his words at the suspect.

The matter was reported to police shortly after the incident. However, ten days later, the suspect remains at large, leaving Steve and his family anxious and frustrated.

“Though police say they are on the case, I feel like they are slow. I want the suspect to be arrested and presented in court,” he added.

Police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with officers pursuing leads in what they describe as a case of grievous assault and suspected gender-based violence. Authorities have not yet made an arrest.

Male violence 

The incident has reignited conversations around domestic violence affecting men, an issue that often goes underreported due to stigma and societal perceptions.

Friends and relatives who have visited Steve in hospital described him as a hardworking and focused student whose life has been abruptly disrupted. As a third-year student, he was preparing to sit for examinations when the incident occurred. He now fears the attack may derail his academic progress. “This has affected my exams. I have missed papers because of being admitted and undergoing treatment,” he said.

Medical staff attending to him say recovery from burn injuries can be long and painful, often requiring specialised wound care and, in some cases, reconstructive procedures. Beyond the physical scars, survivors frequently grapple with psychological trauma.

For Steve, the emotional toll may prove just as heavy as the physical pain. “A day meant to celebrate love became a fight for my life,” he said quietly.

His family is now appealing to law enforcement agencies to expedite investigations and ensure justice is served. They say the suspect should surrender to authorities and allow due process to take its course.

As Valentine’s Day passed with messages of affection and celebration across the country, Steve remained confined to a hospital bed, counting the cost of what he describes as betrayal and violence.

What was supposed to be a season of roses and romance has instead left him nursing burns, financial loss and emotional wounds.