This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
On February 5, 2018, Isaac Mutembei's life took a dramatic turn when he was brutally attacked in Matunda market, Isiolo County. The attacker, later confirmed to be mentally unstable, used a hammer to drive four four-inch nails into his skull.
Despite being left unconscious, the attacker continued to assault Mutembei, causing severe injuries. Witnesses fled the scene, leaving him bleeding from the nailed points, ears, and nostrils.
After 20 minutes, officers from Lewa Conservancy arrived and rushed him to Kiirua Mission Hospital, where he was later referred to Meru County Referral Hospital and eventually Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) for further treatment.
Doctors at KNH performed a delicate six-hour surgery to remove the nails, and Mutembei was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for a week. He eventually made a recovery and was discharged after two months, but the accumulated medical bill of Sh2.3 million posed a significant challenge for his family.
Thanks to a fundraiser and the generosity of KNH welfare and well-wishers, Mutembei was able to pay the outstanding bill and leave the hospital after three months. He has since moved on from the traumatic experience and got married to Stella Gacheri in a colourful wedding at Nteani PCEA Church last Saturday.
Speaking about the incident, Mutembei expressed forgiveness towards his attacker, who was taken to hospital and confirmed to be mentally unstable.
