- A jealous fit of rage cost a young Maasai woman her freedom and left another permanently blind
- Elizabeth Matayan was 21 when she found her boyfriend with another woman, a moment that changed her life
- In October 2025, she was crowned Miss Lang'ata Prison, becoming the only Maasai woman in that year's pageant
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Elizabeth Matayan was 21 when a late-night confrontation over her boyfriend ended with another woman permanently losing sight in one eye.
Source: UGC
Three years later, the Maasai woman is out of prison, serving a probation sentence after a court reviewed her case.
For Matayan, the events of September 2023 remain a painful reminder of how a moment of uncontrolled anger can change several lives forever.
The college student from Kajiado had been trying to build a future while supporting her family when she discovered her boyfriend, Amos, with another woman.
In her account, Amos had initially told her he would not be able to visit her because of work. He later called and asked her to meet him at their usual spot near a liquor store.
When Matayan arrived at around 1 am on the night of September 8, she found Amos asleep in the driver's seat of his car, with another woman, Lindsay Soila, sitting in the passenger seat.
What followed would change the course of all their lives.
Matayan's confrontation with boyfriend
Elizabeth said she knocked on the car window, but when she did not get the response she expected, she went to the driver's side to wake Amos.
An argument erupted and escalated into a physical confrontation. In anger, Matayan picked up a stone and struck the vehicle, shattering its windows.
During the incident, she hit Amos on the forehead, while broken glass entered Lindsay's eye. She left the scene, but police arrested her on September 16, 2023, at a bar along Naivasha Road.
She was charged with grievous harm, assault causing actual bodily harm and malicious property damage.
Matayan Taken to Lang'ata Prison
The injuries sustained by Lindsay were severe. Medical reports established that she had permanently lost sight in her left eye.
After a full trial, Matayan was convicted and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for grievous harm, alongside lesser penalties for the other offences.
The sentences were ordered to run concurrently. She was subsequently taken to Lang'ata Women's Prison.
Matayan says her first days in prison were marked by shame and regret as she confronted the consequences of her actions.
Matayan's Life Behind Bars
The reality that another young woman's life had been permanently altered because of her anger weighed heavily on her.
However, prison also became an opportunity for reflection and rehabilitation. She began teaching mathematics and physics to fellow inmates and participated in programmes designed to help her understand and manage anger.
In October 2025, she was crowned Miss Lang'ata Prison, becoming the only Maasai woman in that year's pageant.
While the achievement offered her a moment of hope, it did not erase the harm she had caused.
Matayan continued pursuing legal avenues to challenge her conviction and sentence. Her appeal was dismissed in June 2025, with the evidence and the seriousness of Lindsay's permanent injury remaining central to the case.
Court Replaces Matayan's Sentence with Probation
After serving nearly three years in prison, Matayan sought a review of her sentence.
On October 7, 2026, the court reconsidered her circumstances, including her age at the time of the offence, her status as a first-time offender, her rehabilitation in prison and her willingness to make amends.
The court also considered the civil compensation proceedings initiated by Lindsay.
Following the review, the remaining period of Matayan's 10-year prison sentence was set aside and replaced with three years of probation under the supervision of the Kibera Probation Officer.
She was also directed to complete six months of anger-management counselling at her own expense.
Matayan Acknowledges Consequences of Her Actions
The decision allowed Matayan to continue her rehabilitation outside prison, under supervision and with specific conditions to fulfil.
Although Matayan is no longer behind prison walls, she acknowledges that her release does not reverse what happened to Lindsay.
The loss of sight in Lindsay's left eye is permanent, and the consequences of that night remain. She expressed willingness to participate in mediation and structured restitution within her means, while the civil court determines the compensation payable.
She hopes to use her second chance to become a different person, determined never to allow anger to destroy another person's future or her own.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke