A 53-year-old man suspected of defiling his five year old niece took his own life after word went round that the police were closing in on the culprit.
The naked body of the man whose identity was withheld until the next of kin were informed was found dangling from a tree at Kitoben village, in Bomet county after police issued a warrant for his arrest.
The police had issued a warrant of arrest for the man who Area Assistant Chief Philip Cheruiyot said had gone missing a fortnight ago after the minor was reportedly defiled.
Cheruiyot said the deceased reportedly undressed beneath a tree before hanging himself where his naked body was found dangling.
The body was later taken to Longisa Referral Hospital morgue.
Medical reports had confirmed that the minor was indeed defiled before the police embarked on a manhunt for the suspect who at the time had gone into hiding.
Cheruiyot assured that the minor was in good condition after undergoing treatment including medications to prevent HIV infection.
By Kipngeno Korir
