This archive report was first published on 2 November 2019.
On Wednesday night, Daniel Kosgei Kiplagat stormed the home of his estranged in-laws, Jackson Simatwa Mong'et, 78, and his wife Jane Kiptum, at Khayanga village in Likuyani sub-county, Kakamega county.
According to eyewitnesses, Kiplagat, armed with a machete, attacked the couple without uttering a word, chopping off Mrs. Kiptum's fingers on both hands and inflicting deep cuts on her head and hands.
Mr. Mong'et recounted the ordeal, saying he was relaxing in his bed when he heard noise and commotion from outside. He ran into the suspect as he was rushing to the kitchen to see what had happened.
"I met our son-in-law in the sitting room and without uttering a word he pounced on me and managed to inflict deep cuts on my both hands before attempting to escape," Mr. Mong'et said.
Police believe Kiplagat's motive was to target his estranged wife, who lives with her parents after dumping him. The suspect was waylaid by villagers as he attempted to escape into a nearby maize plantation and handed over to police officers at Matunda police station.
"My daughter Mercy Chemaiyo was at home but outside the house when the husband attacked us," Mr. Mong'et said.
"He pounced on me immediately I stepped out and aimed the machete on my head but ended up chopping my fingers when I shielded myself with my hands," Mrs. Kiptum told journalists.
The victims want the suspect to be prosecuted for attempted murder following the attack that would leave them with permanent scars.
