Gender-based violence cases in this era have been on the rise, with the latest and most highlighted on social media being that of Mary Claire, a 24-year-old gospel singer with the Redemption Ministries SDA choir, who was doused with acid along Ngong Road by an attacker sent by her boyfriend Elvis Opiyo
Her story amplified in a more disturbing pattern, that, “She dumped Opiyo, the person now behind her woes for another man after he allegedly paid her school fees.
The narrative, according to Suba North MP Millie Mabona Adhiambo, involves carefully crafted negative stories designed to shift blame onto the victim.
Mabona points to these false stories as an agenda by the perpetrators or their associates to aggressively justify heinous acts and influence public opinion; and potentially the justice system, before the truth can surface.
She explains that when a person is murdered, a barrage of unverified claims floods platforms, painting the victim in the worst possible light.
“Unfortunately, the deceased cannot rebut the allegations, leaving the narrative unchallenged,” she said. Similarly, “in cases of brutal beatings, victims are often left too injured or incapacitated to defend themselves, allowing fabricated justifications to take root and sway perceptions.
”This trend of victim-blaming is not new, but its speed and reach in the digital age make it particularly insidious.” Mabona further cautions that deliberately engineering a “single-sided story” often becomes a tool of further harm.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the recent acid attack on Claire, a young woman currently fighting for her life in hospital after being doused with the corrosive substance.
As she battles disfigurement and unimaginable pain, a false narrative has already begun circulating on social media with alarming confidence.
The claim? That the individual alleged to be behind the attack had paid her school fees, implying some form of entitlement or provocation on her part.
Yet, according to a reliable family source, as revealed by Mabona , the story is entirely untrue. The alleged perpetrator did not pay her fees.
“Claire herself is in no condition to confirm or deny the details publicly, rendering her voiceless in the face of these accusations”
Mabona was aggrieved that the unverified tale has been shared and retold as fact, used by some to rationalize why she “had to suffer” an acid attack and permanent disfigurement.
“Violence is wrong, period,” she commented. No alleged past relationship, financial transaction, or personal grievance can ever justify the deliberate infliction of such cruelty.
The rush to justify brutality through a single, convenient story does not reflect justice, it reflects the perpetrator’s desperate attempt to evade accountability.
The legislator called for security around her to be enhanced urgently to protect a survivor who has already endured enough.
“Claire’s family and friends have reported one or two worrying incidents in recent days, raising fears that the attacker, or those connected to him, may not be done with her.” Mabona revealed
With Claire still hospitalized and vulnerable, there is a real risk that the perpetrator could hire someone to finish the job and silence her permanently.
Concerned about the hired attacker, the Member of Parliament urged him to exercise extra caution, as perpetrators might tie up loose ends.
“The guy who was commissioned to do this work should be careful too. He may just be the next missing victim with a cooked-up story emerging soon after his death.”
As Claire fights for her life, Mabona calls for a society that desists from the temptation to swallow unverified claims and demands evidence over emotion, facts over fabrication.
Over the past, victim-blaming through social media smear campaigns has seemed to protect the guilty rather than serving justice. It is now time to safeguard those who cannot speak for themselves.
Adding to the wave of solidarity, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko visited Claire at KNH on March 24, 2026. Deeply moved by her condition, Sonko condemned the attack as “cruel, inhuman, and unacceptable.”
He pledged to cover all her hospital bills and provide everything needed for her full recovery and to “regain her beauty including being flown abroad for advanced treatment if necessary.
He committed to hiring top lawyers to follow the case through the courts until justice is served.
He revealed that he played a role in organizing the arrest of the perpetrator, emphasizing that no one is above the law.“What was done to her is cruel, inhuman, and utterly unacceptable,” Sonko stated during the visit.
“If a relationship is not working, walk away. There is no excuse to harm or destroy someone’s life.” he insisted
Doctors at KNH have been optimistic that Claire will regain her sight progressively with treatment.
Claire herself reported feeling better after a good night’s rest and thanked Sonko for his immediate intervention.
The case has highlighted the urgent need to address GBV in Kenya, with both Mabona’s call for personal accountability and Sonko’s hands-on support underscoring a united front against such violence.
As investigations continue and the suspect faces arraignment, many are watching to ensure swift justice for Mary Claire.
Kenyans have taken to social media with #JusticeForClaire, demanding stronger protections for victims and harsher penalties for perpetrators.
Mabona’s straightforward message “Ukiachwa, accept and move on” is now a rallying cry, reminding everyone that violence solves nothing.
