Woman who saved husband after snatching AK-47 rifle from robber speaks

When a gun-toting man stormed her homestead in Kaptegaa, Endebess in Trans Nzoia County, Evelyne Barasa was about to retire to bed just after having a meal with her family.

Mrs Barasa did not know that the self-defence skills she learned 30 years ago while at Sendera Primary School in Kapsokwony would enable her to tackle the suspect before he could even fire a single shot.

The Standard caught up with her outside her work station at Mt Elgon Orchard. She narrated how the skills she perfected several years ago gave her the right skill-set.

Barasa said when the training was introduced, to her, it was just another opportunity to enjoy judo, a game she enjoyed playing alongside her friends in school.

She could bring down her friends in the sport whose winning formula depends on one’s speed and balance.

But as fate would have it, she dropped out of school from class eight and moved on with other hustles of life after her parents failed to raise school fees for secondary education.

When an armed robber ambushed her family in their home at Kaptegaa village in Endebess last Sunday, he had no idea what awaited him.

The events of the night happened so fast for Mrs Barasa and her husband to subdue the enemy that she could only piece up the happenings later.

As the gun-toting thug stormed in with a trigger-friendly finger, her mind raced like a school boy on a wild goose chase. The teachings of her fitness club teacher recollected instantly.

“We had just finished taking supper and I had risen up to take my sleeping baby to bed when the gunman stormed in. He pointed the gun at me and demanded Sh200,000,” she narrated.

While Barasa quickly applied some skills she acquired decades back, she says it was through God-given wisdom that she gathered courage to confront the enemy.

“I strongly pounced on the attacker’s knees, pulling him to the floor, where he bunged with a thud. My husband, Philip Nakhisa came in handy, and together we subdued him even we sought neighbours help,” she added.

A mother of three, Barasa works at the Mt Elgon Orchards, an agricultural enterprise in Endebess that deals with export of horticultural produce. She treks daily to and from her workplace, covering a total of at least 14 kilometres.

She says the walk keeps her fit, even as she notes that no woman is weak, but they rather be given a fair ground to prove themselves.

“We live from hand to mouth, and I wonder how someone would try to solicit such an amount from us when we struggle to fend for the family. My meagre earnings supplement what my husband fetches from his bodaboda business,” she says.

Nakhisa respects many roles that she assumes which are perceived to be male jobs.

“She is a strong woman who assumes any role regardless of its nature and with this she has played a pivotal role in the family life,” he said of her.

But what still worries her most is the fact that those mentioned to be accomplices of the now arrested thug are still walking free in the area.

“We are scared since those linked to the incident are the same security agents who ought to protect us, and they are yet to be arrested. We fear they might come again,” she lamented.

Mrs Barasa, who observes that the girl child needs more training on self-defence owing to their vulnerability, is now calling on the government to respond to the matter with utmost speed.

Leading by example, she has trained her daughters on basic defensive skills and advised her to be always vigilant, especially when dealing with strangers.

She notes that detaining the culprits would help avert more risks, including retaliation for their failed mission.

“It is so scary and dangerous when I meet the ones who were mentioned as part of the foiled scheme. Today as I walked to the shop, one of them looked at me suggestively, and I took concern,” she disclosed.

Walter Simiyu, a neighbour, and Everlyne Natembeya, a vegetable seller at the nearby Soko Mjinga market know Barasa as a no-nonsense woman.

“She is a tough woman and does not mince her words,” said Natembeya