Amida Jepkorir: A Survivor’s Tale of Domestic Violence and Resilience
Cornelius Keter
Amida Jepkorir has endured unimaginable pain and survived a harrowing ordeal. Although deeply wounded—both physically and emotionally—she now lives to share her story of survival at the hands of her brutal husband.
Four days after being admitted to Kapsabet County Referral Hospital, Amida can now manage a faint smile despite the scars that mark her face. “If not for God, I wouldn’t be alive today,” she whispered.
The events of December 5 will remain etched in her memory forever. On that day, her estranged husband, Stanley Kipkorir, subjected her to a vicious attack at their home in Kombe Village, Nandi County.
“Stanley began arguing about my son, whom I had before our marriage. I had to send my son to live with his grandmother. I struggled to balance sending money for his upkeep and providing for our family’s daily needs,” she recounted.
Amida revealed that their one-year relationship was fraught with conflict and violence. Despite a formal introduction to her parents, their marriage was far from harmonious. Financial struggles compounded the tension—Amida worked in nearby tea farms plucking tea to support her family while Stanley, unemployed, contributed little to their livelihood.
“I discovered I was pregnant and had to endure the nausea and pain of the first trimester while working in tea plantations,” she said.
The turning point came last Thursday. After sending Ksh. 200 to her mother, she returned home with only Ksh. 100, which infuriated Stanley. “He wanted money for alcohol and food for himself,” Amida explained. The argument escalated, and he threatened to kill her. Fearing for her life, she fled but returned later in the afternoon to collect her belongings.
“I found Stanley, drunk and in the company of a male friend, in the compound. As I tried to escape, his friend caught up with me, and Stanley dragged me into the house. He beat me with blows and kicks,” Amida recounted.
Armed with a bow, a rubber belt, and a motorbike helmet, Stanley unleashed a brutal attack. “He hit me on the head, legs, back, and hands with the belt. Then, he struck my head with a heavy object, likely the helmet. I lost consciousness for over an hour and only woke up around 7 p.m.,” she said.
When she regained consciousness, Amida found herself alone in the house. Despite being in excruciating pain, she managed to escape into the darkness, crawling through a plantation to a neighbor’s home 500 meters away.
The neighbour offered her shelter for the night, but Amida’s injuries—bruises, a bleeding head wound, and sharp stomach pains—left her in agony. The next morning, she was taken to a dispensary and later referred to Kapsabet for emergency treatment, where it was confirmed she had suffered a miscarriage caused by the assault.
Amida’s mother, Sally Arusei, described her daughter’s marriage as riddled with abuse. “Stanley has been violent from the start, even burning her clothes and threatening to kill her. This latest incident shows their marriage is untenable. I want justice for my daughter,” she pleaded.
Dr. Shadrack Tanui, Medical Superintendent at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital, confirmed that Amida is out of danger and has been discharged to recover at home. “Assault is a criminal act. We have provided her with the necessary documents to report the incident to the police, which should lead to the suspect’s arrest,” he stated.
As Amida begins her journey of healing, her story is a stark reminder of the urgent need to address domestic violence and provide justice for survivors. This happens just a day after the 16 days of activism against Gender-based violence came to an end.
