Police in Kombewa area in Seme sub-county of Kisumu have arrested a 47- year-old woman who is alleged to have burned her 12-year-old son, whom she accused of stealing her Sh150.
Confirming the incident, Seme Sub-County police boss Jacob Chelimo said the incident happened on Monday night when the suspect, identified as Jacinta Akinyi, accosted the boy Brian Ochieng, whom she scolded for stealing the money and doused him in kerosene before setting him ablaze.
Chelimo said neighbours who responded to screams by the victim came and rushed him to Kombewa Sub-County hospital, where he succumbed to the injuries later on Tuesday afternoon.
Medics revealed that the deceased had suffered over 90 percent burns, on the entire upper torso both at the back and the front, and one hand which made it difficult to survive.
The body has been moved to Kombewa hospital mortuary pending postmortem and further investigations into the incident.
Incidences of child abuse and neglect have been found to be on the rise in Kenya. The constitution outlines the rights of children in the Children’s Act including specific measures to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation.
Psychologists say children’s rights have in almost all instances been violated by the very people who were meant to protect them such as parents, teachers and close relatives.
Most victims have been found to come from low-income areas, where there is a lot of poverty and that is linked to a lot of violence.
This poverty has been found to breed stress and anxiety, which are many times revealed in various forms of violence.
By Mabel Keya-Shikuku
