- Pauline Akinyi Achayo invested all her retirement benefits into a business hoping to live a peaceful life after years of employment
- Everything blew into the wind one night when her business rival doused her premises with petrol and set it on fire while she was inside
- For three years, Pauline has been in and out of the hospital as her dreams remain buried under the ashes of her ambition
Siaya County – What was meant to be a peaceful retirement for Pauline Akinyi Achayo has become a never-ending nightmare.
Source: Youtube
This is after her thriving school was razed in an alleged arson attack orchestrated by business competitors.
Why Pauline angered business rival
A retired employee of Ukulima Sacco, Pauline told TUKO.co.ke that in 2018, she invested her entire pension in establishing a school in her village.
However, the dream she built with hope and determination soon went up in smoke while she watched helplessly.
Pauline recounted how a successful start of her school drew the ire of competitors in the area.
“Most of the students who joined my institution had come from another school nearby, which annoyed my competitor,” she said.
How threats on Pauline’s life turned to tragedy
Tensions escalated when her competitors confronted her, threatening her with dire consequences.
Initially, Pauline dismissed the threats, not imagining they would be carried out.
Two weeks later, disaster struck around 11 pm when she woke to the sound of liquid splashing on her door and the smell of gasoline.
Through the darkness, she saw two individuals pouring petrol under her door, but it was too late to act as they set it ablaze.
Why Pauline didn’t manage to escape on time
Her escape was delayed as the arsonists had locked one of the doors from the outside.
In the chaos, Pauline sustained burns on her legs while fleeing from the inferno, leaving her with physical and emotional scars.
The attack not only devastated her health but also dismantled her life’s work.
The school, declared a crime scene, lost most of its students as parents withdrew their children.
Pauline’s painstaking years of recovery and struggle
With dwindling enrollment, the 56-year-old single mother of one was forced to close its doors.
For three years, she has battled recurring nerve damage from her injuries, making her a frequent patient at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital.
Two suspects were initially arrested in her attempt to seek justice, but they were later released on bond.
To ensure her safety, she was placed under witness protection.
A life forever changed
Reflecting on her ordeal, Pauline said she had carefully planned her retirement, only to have it all torn apart.
“I thought I had everything in place, but I didn’t see this coming. It’s heartbreaking to lose everything you worked for,” she lamented.
As she continues her journey toward recovery, Pauline is now trying to rebuild her life piece by piece.
For now, she remains under medical care, hoping for justice and healing, as her dreams remain buried under the ashes of her ambition.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
This post was originally published on here
