Zachayo Rutto, 46, was hit on the head by a 22-year old suspect Hampton Kipkuna, after claiming he found him attempting to rape a school girl on December 31.
“We were on our way home around 1am after celebrating the New Year in the church, then I heard children screaming for help ahead of us-that their friend was being attacked” Rutto told the Star in his hospital bed on Sunday.
He said it was dark iand when he approached the scene, the suspect was already on top of the girl while her friends helplessly watched him attempting to undress her while shouting.
“I put on my spotlight to identify him and when I saw him collecting sizeable stone on the ground, I hurriedly switched off the light but he landed the stone on my head, then I fell down” he said.
He said he was lucky and thanked God to be alive adding that due to the impact he felt some blood oozing from inside his left ear.
Residents quickly helped rush the teacher to Baringo County Referral Hospital where he is also recovering with additional injuries that include a severe crack and dislocation on his right leg after falling on a rock.
The rogue suspect, who is a part-time boda boda operator, is said to have assaulted more than 15 people in the village over different disputes, with cases reported to police but remains at large.
Sammy Rutto, brother to the victim, said he was at home at the time and they tried to pursue the suspect but he managed to disappear into darkness.
“We are requesting the police to assist in arresting him as he is becoming a threat to passersby, residents and school children” Rutto said.
He noted that the suspect is among a group of idle school dropouts who engage in alcoholism and aide trafficking of illicit brews and drugs to the village.
“Everybody including the area chief is aware of him with his team but nothing much has since been done to arrest the culprits” he said.
Contacted for comment, Kipcherere Sub-location assistant chief Paul Chirchir confirmed the incident but said he is not in a position to comment anything.
“The matter was reported and it is currently being handed by the police officers from Marigat, so the incidences are beyond my capacity” Chirchir said.
He also admitted the rise in alcoholism and drug abuse in the village attributing it to increased criminal offenses.