Police in Maragua, Muranga County have launched a manhunt for a man accused of attacking and badly injuring his sister-in-law with a panga.
Patrick Mungai, a Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) pastor reportedly attacked Felister Njoki following a domestic row in Gikomora Village on Friday.
According to villagers, the latter who lives in Nairobi had initially vowed to kill his wife and had told his son about it, but she fled before he arrived, and descended on his sister-in-law instead.
A villager said that the victim, who has since been admitted at the Maragua Level Four Hospital, sustained serious slash injuries on different parts of the body after the ordeal.
“The lady was slashed in the neck, back, hands and the head. By the time we arrived at the scene we found her lying in a pool of blood. We could not believe the pastor could do such a thing," the witness told the Standard.
The suspect went into hiding after the incident. Police have since launched a manhunt for him, with villagers saying that he appeared depressed before the incident.
James Gathera, a doctor at the hospital, said that the woman was unconscious during her arrival, and is set to be transferred to Nairobi should she not respond to treatment.
“The lady had deep cuts in various parts of the body and she was admitted. Doctors are monitoring her response to medication. If she will not respond well, she may be transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital,” said the doctor.