The injured hands of the girl/Everlyne Kitinda, village elder, Kitinda Village, Bungoma County
A woman from Kitinda Village in Sang’alo, Bungoma County, is being held by police after burning her firstborn daughter for stealing Sh20, inflicting serious injuries on her hands.
Kitinda village elder, Everlyne Wafula, confirmed the incident and said that she called police after the 7-year-old girl revealed that her mother burned her hands using hot charcoal embers after she stole a 20-shilling coin to buy mandazi.
“I was called to the school where the girl, a Grade Two, studies. Teachers noticed on Friday that the little girl, who is always active, was aloof and could not hold a pen. They discovered that her two hands were badly injured from visible burns,” the village elder told the Western Kenya Times on the phone.
She further revealed that her father, Antony Wafula, supported the inhumane punishment applied by his wife.
The woman, identified as Lucy, was arrested and taken to Sang’alo Police Station, where she was held overnight. She is expected to be transferred to the Bungoma Police Station, where she will be taken to court and charged.
Ms. Wafula has warned parents against mistreating their children but to find better ways of punishing them when they do wrong.
Sam Oduor has a bachelor’s degree in Media and Communication studies from Moi University and is passionate about working in the newsroom as well as reporting on key issues affecting society through his talent in photography and writing.
