Summary
- Suspect in Mary Claire acid attack linked to earlier assault case.
- CCTV footage places him near the scene shortly after the incident.
- Court has ordered his detention as investigations continue.
NAIROBI, Kenya- Fresh details have emerged in the investigation into the acid attack on gospel artist Mary Claire, with the main suspect now linked to a previous assault.
The suspect, Elvis Opiyo, was arraigned at the Kibera Law Courts on Monday, where new charges were introduced.
Court hears suspect previously assaulted victim
During proceedings, the court was informed that Opiyo had allegedly attacked Claire in a separate incident on November 25, 2025.
The victim had reported the assault to police at the time, but no arrest or investigation followed.
The revelation has raised concerns over how the earlier complaint was handled.
CCTV footage places suspect at hospital after attack
Investigators say CCTV footage shows Opiyo at a medical facility shortly after the acid attack.
Claire was captured arriving at Equity Afya Hospital along Ngong Road at around 4:04pm after the attack.
About an hour later, Opiyo was allegedly seen entering the same facility before leaving shortly after.
Detectives believe his presence may indicate prior knowledge of the incident.
Suspect detained as probe into attempted murder intensifies
Opiyo has been charged with attempted murder following the attack near Prestige Plaza, where an assailant reportedly poured acid on the singer.
The court ordered that he remain in custody for five days to allow detectives to complete investigations.
Authorities are now working to establish whether the suspect communicated with Claire before the attack or had contact with the individual believed to have carried it out.
The case continues to unfold as investigators piece together the sequence of events.
