A 39-year-old man is fighting for his life in hospital after his wife reportedly scalded him with boiling water over a text message in Kirinyaga.

The man is said to have been waiting for supper in the living room on Monday night when the attack occurred. Some reports indicate that the wife snooped into her husband’s cellphone and saw a love text message sent to him by another woman.

However, speaking from his bed at Kimbimbi hospital where he is receiving treatment, the victim said the attack happened after he received a call from one of his female customers.

“I received a call from one of my female customers informing me of a job vacancy and my wife got angry and started accusing me of taking calls from a ‘side chick’,” he said.

The accused is said to have boiled water as her husband waited patiently for his supper before she proceeded to pour it on his private parts, chest, and back.

The woman fled the scene shortly after, leaving her husband groaning in pain. Neighbours who rushed to the scene took the man to the hospital.

Witnesses said he was seriously injured and he could hardly walk or sit down.

“We were shocked when we saw the condition of the victim,” said one of the witnesses.

According to the victim, this is not the first time his wife of 12 years has tried to burn him with hot water.

Area Assistant Chief Henry Kariuki said that police have launched a womanhunt for the suspect.