Man goes berserk, chops off wife’s hand

The 35-year old is being held at Kapenguria Police Station. [File]

A man is being held at Kapenguria Police Station for allegedly chopping off the right hand of his wife in Runo, West Pokot County.

John Nyalangole, 35, is suspected to have attacked his 30-year-old wife Lilian Chepyatich at their home in what neighbours believe could be a mental illness case.

Pokot central sub-county police commander Bamfort Tsurwa said the man attacked his wife with an arrow, bow and sharp machete.

He told Standard Digital that his wife was defending herself from a machete swing to the head when her hand was cut.

All the five fingers were detached from hand.

"He first slashed his one goat into pieces until it died from the well-sharpened machete," Tsurwa said.

Neighbours who responded to distress calls from the lady who was heavily bleeding beat the man to a pulp.

He was rescued from the mob by police officers who were returning from a Mashujaa Day celebration practice parade.

"He injured some of the police officers who came to rescue him," Tsurwa said.

Pokot central deputy county commissioner Were Simiyuh confirmed that the man was in their custody.

"The suspect was arrested and both the complainant and the victim were rushed to Kapenguria referral hospital for treatment.  The police officers were treated and discharged," he said, adding that the woman had serious injuries.

He noted that the three siblings of the suspect who were at school escaped the attack since they were at school.

"He will be charged in court on Tuesday for causing grievous harm," he said