Police in Thika, Kiambu County on Thursday arrested a 63-year-old man accused of sexually abusing his daughter after drugging her.
The suspect, said to be a human rights activist, served her family with cakes laced with an unknown drug before raping the 16-year-old Form Three student.
On Thursday, residents in Kakuz Ward and the suspect's estranged wife accused the police of failing to arrest the suspect two weeks after the matter was reported.
The suspect is said to be riding on his influence having served as a civic leader under defunct Thika County Council between 2002 and 2007.
Police tracked him using his mobile phone following a public outrage and have locked him up at Thika Police Station.
Neighbours said the girl's mother recounted how, 16 years ago, she was forced to drop out of school after she was impregnated by the suspect who was later forced to marry her after negotiations with her family.
"I am pursuing justice for my child who has been defiled several times by her father. He did the same to me after I went to seek support from him for my secondary education," the woman said.