Teenage boy detained for brutalising younger sister
A seven-year-old girl is nursing both physical and emotional wounds after getting caught up in a suspected sectarian beliefs.
The minor (name with-held) narrated to officers from Subukia Police Station and Children Protection Officers from Nakuru County headquarters how her elder siblings remained hostile to her while their widowed father watched with indifference because they belief she is cursed.
Subukia Sub-County Police Commander Edward Imbwaga said police are holding the minor’s 15-year-old brother for allegedly whipping and causing her serious injuries on diverse dates between July and September this year.
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Cuts and burns
The girl has deep cuts and burns on her back, neck, arms and private parts inflicted by sharp and hot objects allegedly by the brother (name with held) who is a Form One student at a local Secondary school.
“We are holding the boy as the main suspect in his sister’s ordeal. We will be arraigning him in court to answer charges of assaulting his sister and causing her very serious injuries,” said Imbwaga.
The girl’s class teacher noticed injuries on her body when she reported to school on Wednesday and sent her home to get her parent.
The father, however, failed to accompany the child back to school prompting the school management to call police and child protection officers. Apprehensive neighbours claimed the family led a reclusive life and always considered the minor as ‘a cursed’ character.
“They hold the belief that the girl is possessed by evil spirits and that she is a bad omen,” said a man only identified as Muraguri.
A senior Children Protection Officer who sought anonymity said the girl’s mother succumbed to post delivery complications two weeks after giving birth to the minor, who was then taken into custody of her maternal aunt.
“We gathered that she reunited with her family recently. Our investigations have also established that all her nine elder siblings and their father consider her an evil omen ‘for causing their mother’s death’,” she said.
She added that they were working out an interim accommodation for the minor before long term arrangements are put in place for her custody. -KNA
