The woman was allegedly attacked by her Facebook lover on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. [Courtesy of Shutterstock]

Police in Maua, Meru County have launched a search for a youthful man who allegedly stabbed his Facebook lover earlier this week.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has identified the suspect as Patoo and the victim as Sylvia.

According to police, Patoo and Sylvia met recently on social networking platform Facebook.

The DCI said Sylvia lives in Nairobi County, while Patoo lives in Meru County.

On Friday, February 24, the DCI said Sylvia had travelled to Meru County to meet Patoo - for the first time - only for Patoo to turn against her, and stab her in the shoulder, leaving her seriously injured.

Police suspect Patoo could be a criminal who had the intention of robbing Sylvia of her personal items.

The DCI said Patoo had asked Sylvia to travel with her friend, who would be linked up with Patoo's male friend.

According to authorities, the meeting would culminate in a party at Patoo's place.

"At 6pm on Tuesday [February 21], Sylvia and her bestie, Jackie, boarded a Meru-bound shuttle on Accra Road [in Nairobi] and set-off for the four-hour journey," the DCI said in a statement on Twitter.

"On arrival in Meru, Patoo asked them to board another matatu to Maua, a further 58 kilometres and alight at a bus stop known as Kwa Amos," added the DCI.

"The women, who were all dressed up for a party, became skeptical as it grew darker and scary, but love won and they continued with their journey," said the DCI.

When they arrived at Kwa Amos in Maua, the women were received at the bus stop by Patoo, police said.

"After apologising for the sudden change of the party venue, Patoo led them to a dark path," the DCI said.

Authorities further stated that the women grew suspicious and raised the alarm, while running towards the main road.

"Patoo immediately reached for a knife and stabbed Sylvia on her shoulder before fleeing into darkness," said the DCI.

A Good Samaritan took Sylvia to Muthara Sub-County Hospital for treatment. The patient was later transferred to Meru County Teaching and Referral Hospital, the DCI said.

Police did not reveal the whereabouts of Sylvia's friend, Jackie.