By Robert Mutasi 
An Eldoret court has heard disturbing testimony from a former student of the Rift Valley Technical Training Institute who survived a brutal acid attack that left her with permanent injuries and emotional trauma, in a case that has renewed concern over rising gender-based violence among young people in Kenya.
Ms Bevaline Jelimo Sum, a former Electrical Engineering student, appeared visibly emotional as she narrated before Senior Resident Magistrate Keyne Odhiambo how her life changed within seconds on the morning of July 28, 2025.
According to court proceedings, Ms Sum alleged that her former boyfriend and college classmate, Mr Tonny Kimwetich Kangogo, ambushed her while she was walking from her rental house to sit her final examination paper at the institution.
The attack occurred at SOS Village in Kapsoya, on the outskirts of Eldoret.“I was walking from my rental house to college to sit my final paper when the accused attacked me from behind and poured sulphuric acid on the left side of my neck,” Ms Sum told the packed courtroom.
Her voice reportedly trembled as she described the unbearable pain and confusion that followed.
Court documents indicate that the corrosive chemical burned parts of her neck, shoulder and upper body, causing severe injuries that required specialized treatment.
Ms Sum testified that the assault happened so suddenly that she could not immediately identify the attacker. She said she lost consciousness moments later and only regained awareness after a Good Samaritan rushed her to a private hospital in Eldoret for emergency treatment.
The prosecution told the court that the accused had allegedly been threatening and intimidating Ms Sum after the collapse of their relationship. Investigators are now relying on witness accounts, medical evidence and mobile money transactions to piece together the sequence of events surrounding the attack.
One of the most startling revelations during the hearing involved an alleged attempt to assist with the victim’s hospital expenses shortly after the incident.
Ms Sum told the court that Mr Kangogo allegedly sent Sh11,000 to her elder sister’s mobile phone account.
However, the money was reportedly returned after her parents rejected the gesture.
“His parents approached my parents seeking an out-of-court settlement, but they declined because of the seriousness of the offence committed against me,” she testified.
Her family says they have spent more than Sh1 million on surgeries, medication and long-term treatment since the attack.
Medical experts are expected to testify about the extent of the injuries and the possibility of permanent physical damage.
The court further heard that after the alleged attack, the accused reportedly proceeded to college and sat his final Electrical Engineering examination before later disappearing from the scene.
Mr Kangogo has denied the charge of causing grievous harm. The court released him on a bond of Sh50,000 with an alternative cash bail of Sh20,000 pending the hearing of the case.
The prosecution is expected to call four witnesses, including a doctor from Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Eldoret and the investigating officer handling the matter.
Legal experts following the case say the proceedings could become a significant test of how Kenyan courts handle acid attack cases, which often leave survivors battling lifelong physical and psychological scars.
Human rights activists in the North Rift region have also raised concerns over the increasing number of violent disputes involving young couples, particularly cases involving stalking, intimidation and revenge attacks after failed relationships.
Acid attacks remain among the most devastating forms of assault because of the lasting medical complications victims endure, including blindness, disfigurement, nerve damage and emotional trauma. Survivors frequently require years of reconstructive surgery and counseling to rebuild their lives.
For Ms Sum, the courtroom testimony marked another painful chapter in what she described as a long journey toward healing and justice.
The case will be mentioned again on July 28, 2026, as prosecutors continue presenting evidence before the Eldoret court.