By Peter Ochieng
ELDORET, KENYA: A man who attempted to poison his son by feeding him on a cattle dip chemical has been charged before an Eldoret court.
Shadrack Kiptoo Kaptugen was accused of attempted murder.
The court heard that Kaptugen had been left with the one and half year old child at their home on March 5 when he allegedly poisoned him before neighbours learnt of the incident and rescued the kid.
Fellow playmates raised the alarm and alerted adults at the village who went to the boy’s rescue.
Went in search
James Limo, a brother to the accused, said he was informed about the incident by a young girl who was among those who had been playing with the victim.
The witness told the court that they went in search of the culprit and found he had locked himself in his house.
The mother of the child was not home at the time of the incident and was informed hours after the victim had already been hospitalised.
Limo said they rushed the child to hospital where he was treated.
“Some of us took the baby to the nearby hospital because he was unconscious while other family members were left interrogating the accused,” added Limo.
His brother said the accused later admitted having poisoned his son with the chemical for unknown reasons.
The members of the family also reported the matter to village elder Isaac Kiprotich before the accused was arrested and taken to Kaptagat Police Station.
Dr Joseph Embenzi, a senior medical officer Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and who examined the boy confirmed the child was poisoned.
The case could not, however, take off and was adjourned because the prosecution wanted to find out if the accused’s wife, Faith Chebet, was competent to testify against the husband.
He was remanded by Chief Magistrate Charles Mbogo until May 29 when hearing of the case will commence.
