Police in Lugari are investigating an attempted rape incident in which a student was attacked on her way to school and severely injured.
The 19-year-old girl, identified as Lilian Siemi, a Form Three student at Holy Family Secondary School, was attacked and assaulted by a man identified as Ian Jabia at Kona Mbaya village in Chekalini Ward while on her way to school early this morning.
Cyrus Mavisi, a boda boda rider who witnessed the aftermath and rushed her to the hospital, said he heard screams and decided to investigate.
Mavisi reported that the suspect had attacked Lilian with the intention of taking her to a nearby bush and rape her. When she resisted, he hit her with a baton (rungu) on the head, arm, and shoulder.
Images provided to WKT reveal a severe head injury, a consequence of the violent assault.
“I heard cries for help and decided to check what was happening. When I arrived at the scene, I found a girl lying on the ground, crying in pain. I saw a man fleeing the scene and disappearing into a nearby maize field,” he said.
He added that there were young men at the scene who attempted to apprehend the suspect, and one of them was able to identify him as Ian Jabia.
The school, led by teacher Joel Nganasa, has expressed its concern and is calling for swift justice. Nganasa reported that Lilian is currently in stable condition but that the trauma of the attack has left the family in deep distress.
Lilian’s father, Enock Amunga, expressed his anguish upon seeing his daughter’s injuries.
“Her clothes were soaked in blood. When I arrived at the hospital, I feared the worst, but thankfully, she was still breathing. I thank God for that, but we are deeply shaken,” said Amunga.
The attack has been reported to the Chekalini Police Station, and authorities have launched an investigation to locate and apprehend the suspect.
The family, along with the school community, is now calling for justice and security for students commuting early in the morning.
This shocking incident has highlighted the dangers faced by students traveling during pre-dawn hours and the need for increased safety measures in the area.
Tom Lutali is a seasoned scribe based in Lugari Sub-County in Kakamega County who writes human interest stories and sports for WKT.
