New CCTV Twist in Mary Claire Acid Attack: Suspect Linked to Scene and Hospital Visit

Authorities in Nairobi have arraigned the main suspect in the brutal acid attack on gospel singer Mary Claire, securing a five-day detention period to allow investigators more time to build their case.

Police arrested Elvis Opiyo during a coordinated sting operation involving law enforcement and a security team associated with former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko. Investigators believe the assault may have stemmed from a “love triangle,” which they say could be the motive behind the violent attack.

During a court appearance on Monday, prosecutors successfully requested additional time to complete their investigation, keeping Opiyo in custody as detectives reconstruct the events leading up to the assault.

Authorities say Opiyo faces serious charges, including assault and attempted murder, linked directly to the attack on Mary Claire and her friend, Sarah Watere. Investigators suspect he did not carry out the act himself but allegedly arranged the crime by hiring another person to execute the assault, raising concerns about a carefully planned act of revenge.

Victim Fighting for Her Life

The 24-year-old singer remains in critical condition at Kenyatta National Hospital, where doctors continue treating the severe injuries she sustained.

Mary Claire, a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Redemption Ministers Choral Group and the daughter of an SDA pastor, suffered extensive burns after an attacker doused her with acid. The attack unfolded as she made her way home in the Utawala area, turning an ordinary evening commute into a devastating incident.

The assault took place on the evening of March 17 along the busy Ngong Road near Quiver Lounge in the Kilimani neighborhood.

At around 6:53 p.m., Mary Claire and her colleague, Sarah Watere, were walking home when a man carrying a container filled with corrosive chemicals approached them.

Witnesses say the attacker splashed the acid directly onto Claire’s face before attempting to flee.

Those who saw the attack described a coordinated operation involving two men. While one suspect carried out the assault, another waited nearby on a motorcycle to facilitate a quick escape.

“The guy came holding a container with the acid, then splashed it on her. After that, he tried to escape through nearby bushes. They were two. One was on a motorbike, ready to escape,” an eyewitness recalled.

Bystanders quickly intervened, disrupting the escape plan. As members of the public closed in, the motorcyclist reportedly abandoned his partner and sped away, leaving the attacker surrounded by an angry crowd.

Chilling Phone Call Raises Suspicion of Contract Attack

The situation escalated further when a phone believed to belong to the suspect began ringing while he was cornered by members of the public.

Witnesses forced the man to answer the call on speakerphone, revealing what many described as a disturbing conversation.

“People forced him to answer the call on loudspeaker. The caller asked, ‘Have you finished the job?’ That’s when the crowd became more agitated,” a witness recounted.

Survivor’s Colleague Describes Harrowing Moments

Sarah Watere later recounted the terrifying moments that followed the acid attack, describing how the chemical began to destroy Claire’s clothing and skin almost instantly.

“The next thing I saw was Claire’s clothes melting. We were screaming. She told me, ‘Sarah, I’m dying, get me water, wash my face,’” she said.

Police officers on patrol arrived at the scene to find an enraged crowd threatening to lynch the suspect. Officers intervened and rescued the man before taking him into custody.

Authorities then transferred the suspect to Mbagathi Hospital, where he is receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the confrontation. He remains under tight police guard as investigations into the acid attack continue.

History of Violence

During the court hearing at the Kibera Law Courts on Monday, March 23, a troubling history of violence surfaced, revealing that Opiyo had allegedly targeted the victim long before this latest attempt on her life. Records indicate a prior assault dating back to 2025.

Despite Claire having reported the earlier attack to the police and having filed a formal complaint, Opiyo faced neither arrest nor investigation at the time, which sparked intense scrutiny over how authorities handled her previous cries for help.

New evidence from CCTV cameras has further tightened the circle around the primary suspect, placing him at the scene of the medical emergency shortly after the acid hit. The footage suggests a high level of involvement in the planning, as Opiyo appeared at the very clinic where Claire had been rushed for life-saving first aid. According to the digital timeline, Claire entered Equity Afya Hospital on Ngong Road at approximately 4:04 pm.

In a move that investigators find deeply suspicious, Opiyo allegedly arrived at the same facility about an hour later. The cameras captured him entering and then quickly departing while medical staff were still fighting to stabilize Claire. Detectives believe his presence at the hospital so soon after the crime strongly suggests he had prior knowledge of the attack and may have been monitoring the outcome of his orchestrated plan.

The post New CCTV Twist in Mary Claire Acid Attack: Suspect Linked to Scene and Hospital Visit appeared first on Nairobi Wire.