Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen visited gospel artist Rachel Wandeto in hospital after she was attacked and burnt in Mwiki area, Nairobi.
The assailants used petrol to douse her before they escaped on Friday night.
She said she was attacked and injured for expressing her political opinion.
The CS said Wandeto had suffered significant burns and that doctors were giving her the best care possible.
He condemned the attack, saying the Constitution allows for free expression of political opinion that cannot be taken away by anybody.
“I condemn this barbaric act that has no place in our society. Our investigative agencies are working hard to establish the motive and bring to book the perpetrators of the heinous act,” he said.
“We will take all measures to rein in divisive and incendiary political rhetoric, which is spreading hate and radicalization,” he said.
Murkomen said whatever the motive of the attack may have been, no Kenyan should be harmed because of his or her beliefs.
“We wish Rachel a quick recovery and grace to her family as they come to terms with this dreadful act.
The Government will assist the family to ensure Rachel gets the best possible treatment,” said the CS.
He was accompanied by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and other senior security officials.
Kanja condemned the petrol attack on the woman in Mwiki.
He said preliminary investigations suggest the attack may have been linked to her political views.
She went viral earlier in 2026 after tattooing President William Ruto’s face on her chest, along with “TUTAM” (Two Terms) and his name on her head/body.
This led to her relatives allegedly evicting her over political differences.
She was allegedly attacked by three masked men.
According to police and relatives, they demanded money or benefits they claimed she received from Ruto due to her support.
When she said she had nothing, they doused her with petrol, set her hair on fire, and fled.
She suffered severe burns on her arms, legs, torso, face, and other areas and was hospitalized initially at Uzima Uhai Hospital. She was moved to the Kenyatta National Hospital with 70 percent burns.
Photos of her injuries circulated widely, prompting widespread condemnation, calls for justice, and sympathy (including from figures like gospel artist Karangu Muraya). Police took over the matter for investigation, but as of the latest reports May 16, 2026, no arrests have been publicly announced, and the attackers remain unknown.
According to police, members of the public alerted police after the victim was rushed to Uzima Uhai Hospital for emergency treatment shortly after midnight on Friday.
Police officers who visited the hospital established that the victim had allegedly been attacked along Obama Road 11th Street by a group of three men who reportedly poured petrol on her body before setting her ablaze.
Police said the woman sustained approximately 70 per cent burns and was initially taken to Uzima Uhai Hospital by her husband.
Due to the severity of her injuries, she was later referred to Kenyatta National Hospital for specialised treatment.
Investigations into the attack are ongoing.
This incident is real and horrific, highlighting risks of political intolerance and violence in Kenya’s polarized climate.
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