A middle-aged man in Kenya is being hunted by police for repeatedly defiling his 12-year-old daughter and putting the blame on his wife.

Rose Musa, the Malava village elder where the incident happened said the girl confessed that her father had been defiling her since she was eight years old.

The suspect, who had been seized by the local leadership before managing to flee, said he committed the act because his wife had deserted him, and, therefore, had “nowhere else to get sexual satisfaction”.

Area assistant chief John Chebsanyi said authorities would do everything possible to ensure the suspect is arrested and charged with committing incest with a minor, a crime that could attract a life sentence.