A man who has been masquerading as a legal practitioner in Eldoret City has been arrested and arraigned in court for allegedly defiling his six-year-old step daughter.

The suspect, Nelson Langat Cheruiyot, was apprehended by police detectives following a complaint lodged against him at Baharini Police Station by the minor’s mother in connection with the heinous act.

Cheruiyot who appeared before Eldoret Senior Resident Magistrate Beatrice Toroitich was accused of defiling the child on February 14, 2026, in Lower Columba Area in Turbo Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County.

The suspect has since denied the charge.

The presiding magistrate postponed a ruling on his application to be released on bail or bond for the third consecutive time to allow key witnesses – among them the victim, who is a PP2 learner – to give their evidence in the case.

According to the prosecution, the suspect was in a romantic relationship with the child’s mother and that if freed on bond or bail he was likely to interfere with the crucial witnesses in the matter.

“Your honour, we are opposed to an application filed before you by the accused person to be freed on bond or bail because he is likely to interfere with key witnesses that we have lined up to testify against him,” the prosecution argued.

The court was told that the accused person has fathered a two year old son with the victim’s mother. In addition, the woman is currently pregnant as a result of a romantic relationship with him.

Toroitich directed that the suspect be held for six more days at Eldoret GK Remand Prison pending ruling on an application by the accused to be freed on bond or bail.

“I will deliver my ruling on whether the accused person should be granted bond on February 21, 2026,” magistrate said.

Cheruiyot reportedly defiled the minor code-named A.R. in their kitchen after luring her with a packet of biscuit and yogurt milk.

While giving her testimony, the minor referred to the accused person several times as Wakili (lawyer) said he arrived at their house during lunch time when their mother had left for casual job.

“I was playing with my younger brother outside our house when Wakili, who was accompanied by his friend, arrived and asked me to bring him a plastic chair and a 10-litre jerry-can to sit on,” she told the court.

She recalled that the suspect had brought with him biscuit and yogurt milk, which he gave them to drink as he engaged in talk with his friend using English. She further told the court that the suspect, who is like her father, rose up and escorted his friend up to the gate and returned to the house lone.

“He told me to follow him into the house before holding my hand and leading me to the kitchen. While there, I saw him remove his trouser and then he removed mine also,” said the child.

The minor moved the court as she recounted how the accused person defiled her and warned her of dire consequences if she told her mother what had transpired.

“He warned me against disclosing to my mother what he had done to me. Wakili told me to remind my mother to call him immediately she arrives from her chores,” the court heard.

The minor told the court that she was forced to reveal to her mother her ordeal following persistent pain she was feeling during short calls. This prompted the complainant’s mother to rush her to a nearby hospital, which referred her to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital for specialised treatment.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Ekuwam Sylvester