A bizarre dispute turned tragic in Kakamega County after a man was severely burned for introducing his new second wife to his first partner.

Police from Malaika Police Station have launched a manhunt for the first wife, Mary Mbonne, who fled the scene after allegedly attacking her husband and an infant with boiling water.

According to a police incident report, the victim, Danson Isundwa, welcomed a woman named Fransisca Makhokha into his homestead in front of Mbonne, Isundwa openly announced that Ms Makhokha was his newly wedded second wife, presenting a 16-month-old toddler whom the two had sired together.

While the introduction could have been a flashpoint for immediate confrontation, Mbonne initially appeared calm.

She ushered the guests inside the house and excused herself to the kitchen, claiming she was going to prepare tea for the family.

However, the gesture of hospitality quickly turned violent; moments later, Mbonne emerged from the kitchen carrying boiling water and threw it directly onto Isundwa, who was still holding the infant.

Both the father and the toddler sustained severe burns from the scalding liquid.

They were rushed to Kakamega General Hospital in serious condition, where the minor remains admitted for treatment.

Meanwhile, authorities are actively searching for Mbonne, who remains at large as investigations continue.