A family in Kisima village, Nyahururu town in Laikipia County is grieving after the loss of their kin who died after a beating by a shop owner and his employees last week.
The 17-year-old Form Two student identified as Stephen Njuguna had been accused of stealing a piece of clothe worth Sh500.
The boy is said to have endured hours of torture within the confines of the shop premises. His tormentors relented only when they sensed his life was in danger, allowing him to leave in critical condition.
Outraged by the brutality, residents staged protests in Nyahururu town on Tuesday, demanding the arrest of the suspects and the revocation of the shop’s trading licenses.
Njuguna’s father, Mr James Muraya, said he received a call from the shop owner over his son’s alleged theft and detention at the premises.
According to Mr Muraya, the shop owner demanded to be paid Sh5,000 to release the boy. “He complained of severe pains in the stomach and chest. My son explained to his mother about the beatings, they attacked him with crude weapons, kicks, and blows,” explained the father.
Nyahururu police boss Jackline Gacheri confirmed the arrest of two suspects.
Meanwhile:
Man hurt as stone falls from building
A 40 yr-old man is fighting for his life in a city hospital after he was injured by a falling stone from a construction site while he was resting inside his house in Mukuru Hazina. According to a local, Mr Galgallo Guyo Bilala, the heavy stone fell as a worker was clearing the debris. “It fell from the second floor and ripped through the man’s mabati roof. He was rushed to hospital by neighbours.”
– Sammy Kimatu
New tree-planting method embraced
Residents have embraced a new tree-planting method that is touted to conserve soils and water sources while combating climate change. The new model, known as home-to-home tree-planting, has already taken root in Senenden and Katilak villages in Siyoi Ward among other parts. The programme is run by the Perur Rays of Hope organisation with funding from Terra Fund and the International Tree Foundation
– Oscar Kakai
Elders concerned by political rows
The Luo Council of Elders has called upon politicians in Nyanza to tone down their rhetoric amid an outbreak of deadly violence in the recent past. Describing the trend as worrying, council member Mzee Nyandiko Ongadi cited last week’s incident in Migori County, where mourners were injured after chaos broke out at a funeral, as well as the killing of a bouncer in Homa Bay. “Having a divergent political opinion should not be a reason to target someone. We fought for multi-party democracy so that Kenyans can join any political party of their choice,” Mzee Ongadi said.
– George Odiwuor
