A 13-year-old boy is fighting for his life at Kisii Teaching and referral hospital after he swallowed a bolt.
It is alleged that the boy identified as Isaac Mogeni who hails from Kebuba village in Keumbu, Nyaribari Chache Kisii County was forced to swallow the bolt by a man Brian Ombese.
Locals said Ombese has been chasing the boy's mother for love in vain.
"Ombese's efforts to marry Mogeni's mother hit the wall after the woman turned down his proposal. He forced the young boy to swallow the bold to scare his mother so that she can accept him," said a local Augustine Getuka.
Mr. Getuka said the victim collapsed after he swallowed the bolt prompting Ombese to scamper for safety.
Area chief Evans Onduso said the boy was rushed to hospital by neighbours.
"The boy is recuperating in hospital. He swallowed the bolt while his mother away from home. We are hunting down Ombese to arrest him," he said.
He warned men against forcing women to make love with them.
Reached for a comment the boy's mother Agnes Bochaberi said she is not ready to move in with Ombese who is a drunkard.
"I can't be forced to marry him. I am comfortable living alone with my son," she noted.
She expressed confidence that the authorities will apprehend Ombese to be charged in a court of law.