A middle-aged man accused of defilement is fighting for his life at Matuu Level Four Hospital after attempting to commit suicide.
The man is accused of defiling an eight-year-old girl in Kamuthmbya in Yatta sub-county of Machakos County.
The suspect's attempts to bribe the mother of the class three girl proved futile after learning that the whole village was aware of his heinous action.
Confirming the incident, Mathingau sub-chief David Mwamisi said the man tried to bribe the victim's mother with Sh500,000 to keep quiet about the matter.
"After learning that the incident is in the public domain, he took poison but fortunately he didn't die. He is fighting for his life in hospital," Mwamisi said.
The man is said to have defiled the girl at his shop.
He said the suspect will be apprehended and arraigned in court once he gets out of the hospital.
Mwamisi encouraged residents not to hide or negotiate in defilement cases and instead report the matter to the police to ensure justice is served.
"A defiler will always be a defiler, learn to let the law take its course in a bid to get justice for defiled kids and ensure punitive measures against defilers," he said.