A man suspected of defiling his two step-daughters has been arrested by police in Nyeri county. The 55-year-old man was nabbed on Saturday in Kangemi near Nyeri town and locked up at Nyeri police headquarters. Neigbours suspect the man, who was left in custody of the girls aged 10 and 14 after their mother died, might have infected his charges with HIV/Aids.

The girls are pupils at a primary school in Tetu district. The man, who works in a quarry, allegedly sent an SMS to close relatives telling them to ensure the girls are tested for HIV. "This prompted us to suspect that there was something wrong. The children had not disclosed the defilement since their step-father had warned them of dire consequences if they spoke out," said the children's aunt Grace Gichohi.

Gichohi asked that the man be jailed for life for ruining the lives of the children. Nyeri OCPD Kirunya Limbitu said the man has been defiling his step-daughters since their mother died from Aids. The minors admitted their step-father has been defiling them since their mother died.