Kasarani woman with tattoo of Ruto's face allegedly attacked by 3 masked men, doused with acid

A Kasarani woman who made headlines for tattooing President William Ruto's face on her back now fights for her life in hospital after three masked men allegedly doused her with acid in a brutal nighttime attack.

Racheal Wandeto remains admitted at a Nairobi hospital with severe burns following the Wednesday night assault that has shocked residents of the densely populated Kasarani estate. Police reports indicate the attackers cornered her near her home around 9 PM, threw the corrosive substance on her, and fled into the darkness leaving her screaming for help.

The 28-year-old single mother had become an overnight sensation just weeks ago when photos of Ruto's portrait tattooed across her shoulder blades went viral on social media. Wandeto, who works as a small-scale trader in Kasarani market, told journalists she got the tattoo to show her unwavering support for the President and the Kenya Kwanza government.

Her bold move divided Kenyans online, with supporters praising her loyalty while critics questioned her judgment. Some social media users accused her of seeking cheap fame, while others defended her right to express political support however she chooses. The controversy intensified when photos showed her struggling to find customers at her small stall, with some residents apparently boycotting her business over the tattoo.

Local residents now express mixed feelings about the attack, with many condemning the violence while others whisper that she brought trouble upon herself. "No one deserves this kind of brutality, regardless of what they put on their body," says Mary Wanjiku, a neighbor who heard Wandeto's cries for help that night. "But people warned her that not everyone would appreciate that tattoo."

Kasarani Police Station has launched investigations into the incident, though no arrests have been made yet. The attackers remain at large, and detectives face the challenge of identifying suspects in an area where CCTV cameras are scarce and witness cooperation often proves difficult.

This attack raises uncomfortable questions about how far political expression can go in Kenya before it becomes dangerous, and whether ordinary citizens who publicly support leaders become targets for those who disagree with their choices.