This archive report was first published on 19 October 2019.
On Friday, at around midday, a horrific incident occurred in Runo village, West Pokot County. A 35-year-old man, identified as John Nyalangole, attacked his 30-year-old wife, Lilian Chepyatich, cutting off her right hand.
According to Pokot Central sub-county police commander, Bamfort Tsurwa, the suspect was armed with a bow, arrows, and a sharp panga. He had aimed the panga at his wife's head, but fortunately, she raised her hands, and the panga landed on her right hand, completely detaching all five fingers.
The incident occurred while the couple's three children were at school. Tsurwa stated that the suspect seems to have been prepared to kill all the members of his family.
Neighbours reported that the suspect had a motive to wipe out his family members. He had prepared to attack his wife and had even slaughtered a goat, sharpening the panga in the process.
The suspect is being held at Kapenguria police station and will be charged in court on Tuesday for causing grievous harm. His wife was rescued by neighbours and police officers who were on their way to the station from Masol ground, where they were practicing for Mashujaa Day celebrations.
Police officers who were coming from Masol ground on parade to practice for Mashujaa Day celebrations heard people shouting for help and stopped to check. They found the suspect being beaten by the angry crowd and had to intervene to rescue him, as he was still armed with the arrow, bow, and panga.
