Residents condemned the act and later launched a hunt for the mason.

ATTEMPTED ESCAPE

Mwangi wa Kamau told The Standard that residents later caught up with the suspect at Gataka-ini as he attempted to escape.

He said the girl had also told her teachers that her father had threatened her with dire consequences if she dared open her mouth over the matter.

“She was reportedly warned not to tell even her mother,” Kamau said yesterday.

A section of residents took the suspect to Ndaka-ini police post even as others attempted to lynch him.

“Everyone went mad after the news reached the village. We went out to look for him and latter handed the suspect over to the police,” Kamau added.

Gatanga police boss Baraza Sayia said the suspect will be charged today with defilement.