A butcher is nursing serious injuries after his genitals were cut off and he was stabbed several times allegedly by his neighbour.

Andrew Mwangi, 39, from Njathaini village in Gatundu North, was attacked shortly after he walked out of a pub at 11pm last Sunday.

Mr Mwangi alleged that his attacker, who is also said to be aged 39, accused him of having an affair with his 56-year-old girlfriend. Both men are married.

He said the enraged neighbour attacked him with a panga, a knife and a stick.

"He attacked me using a panga and a knife, saying I would learn my lesson for having an affair with his girlfriend. Since I was drunk, he overpowered me and wrestled me to the ground before stabbing me several times in the legs, hands and head. He then cut off my genitals using the knife. It was very painful," said Mwangi.

Members of the public responded to his shouts and rushed him to Igegania Level Four Hospital where he was treated and his genitals reattached. He has since been discharged from hospital.

Mwangi denied having an affair with the woman. "The allegations that I had an affair with my attacker's girlfriend are nothing but lies. I want justice so that he can be made to pay for his deeds," he said.

Angry villagers

The suspect has since gone underground and a manhunt has been launched to apprehend him. Angry villagers stormed his home but were disappointed when they failed to find him.

His wife informed them that he was not at home and that he had left a note saying he had gone to commit suicide by jumping into Chania River to evade arrest.

The villagers also stormed the home of the woman at the centre of the conflict but failed to find her.

Residents and family members urged the police to do everything possible to ensure the suspect is brought to book.

"We want nothing but justice to prevail. The suspect must be made of face the full wrath of the law," said Daniel Njenga, a relative of the victim.

Gatundu North OCPD Reuben Muli said they were pursuing the suspect and that it was just a matter of time before he was apprehended.

"The suspect will be arraigned and charged with assault once we get him," said Mr Muli.