Chief in Bungoma stabs secondary school girl over love affair with husband

Samoya Secondary School students in Kanduyi constituency demonstrating in Bungoma town on 3/10/2016 after a form four girl at the institution was stabbed by Samoya Assistant Chief Alice Wasike for allegedly being in an illicit love affair with her husband. (PHOTO: TITUS OTEBA/ STANDARD)

A chief in Bungoma who allegedly stabbed a secondary school girl she suspected of having an affair with her husband then attempted to kill herself.

Both the victim and the suspect are in critical condition at Bungoma County Referral Hospital.

The assistant chief stabbed the student at her home in Wasio village, Kanduyi constituency. Bungoma South police boss David Kirui said the suspect fled after committing the offence.

"Both the suspect and the victim have been hospitalised. Officers are guarding the suspect who will be arraigned in court when she recovers and investigations are completed," he said.

The hospital's Medical Director, Sylvester Mutoro, confirmed that the two were being treated at the facility.

"Our doctors are working to stabilise them. Let us help them first then we can give you feedback. The girl has had an operation," Mr Mutoro told The Standard.

The victim's mother said the chief visited her home on Sunday morning and asked where her daughter was.

"I told her my daughter was still asleep but she said she needed to discuss a few things with her. When my daughter came out, the chief pulled a kitchen knife from her handbag and stabbed her several times in the stomach. She then fled as my daughter bled profusely," she said.

Students protest

The incident prompted students from Samoya Secondary School, where the victim is a student, to march through the streets of Bungoma town in protest, paralysing business and transport in the process.

They stormed into the Bungoma county commissioner's office and the Bungoma Police Station demanding immediate action.

Governor Ken Lusaka and Women Representative Reginalda Wanyonyi condemned the incident and asked the police to move fast and ensure justice prevailed.

"We cannot allow a leader to cause mayhem in the community. That is disgraceful. Why stab a student when you can advise her in a motherly way instead?" posed Ms Wanyonyi.

She called on young girls to concentrate on their education instead of indulging in illicit affairs.

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers county representative Rebecca Masibayi asked the police to arrest the chief's husband who is a bursar at a local secondary school.

"These are the men who lack integrity. Why should you leave your wife and befriend a student?" posed Ms Masibayi.

County Director of Education Charles Anyika asked the students to return to school and concentrate on their education.

"It is sad that one of your own has been injured but we ask for calm as we sort this matter out," he said.