A Kenyan man accused of attempting to defile a six-year-old girl in a public restroom in Nairobi, on Thursday failed to take a plea at court.

Mr William Arthur Wangiya told Senior Principal Magistrate Alex Thuku that he was unwell.

“I was assaulted by security officers and I asked to be taken for treatment,” he said.

Mr Thuku allowed his plea and ordered that he be taken for treatment and remanded at the Industrial Area prison. He will take a plea on March 18.

Mr Wangiya was charged with touching the private parts of the minor.

He is said to have waylaid the child, who was on her way to the washrooms. Her screams alerted patrons who came to her rescue. She told them what the accused had done.

The man was given a thorough beating by the public before officers from the Karen Police Station, about 50 metres from the joint, were called.

The story and photos of the man trended on social media for the better part of Thursday, causing an uproar among Kenyans, who are getting increasingly concerned about the security of their children in places ordinarily considered relatively safe.

Many wondered how such a dangerous thing could happen at a high-end place that’s well-guarded.