A nine-year-old girl is nursing serious injuries after a brutal attack by her parents in Chepkinoyo Nyota Ward in Kuresoi North, Nakuru County.
Kuresoi North sub-County Police Commander Judas Gathenge said the grade five pupil was attacked by her mother and stepfather on August 17, after coming home late from church.
He said that the minor’s mother, Tabitha Wanjiku, and stepfather, Peter Maina, stripped the minor naked, tied her hands and went ahead to assault her.
The officer said that the minor has bite wounds on her back, among other injuries on her body.
According to Mr Gathenge, neighbours got wind of the issue on Monday and invaded the house, rescuing the child and rushing her to the hospital for treatment.
“She is in custody at Temuyota Police Station, she will be taken to court later in the day, while the child will be taken to Molo sub-County hospital for further treatment. Detectives have launched a manhunt for the man,” he said
The sub-county police boss said preliminary investigations established that Ms Wanjiku got married while already having the aggrieved child. The couple was later blessed with two other children.
According to Peter Ngetich, a village elder, the minor was allegedly attacked after she got home late from church.
He said that one of the neighbours who was passing by was attracted by screams from their compound and upon inquiry, she learnt that the child had been locked inside the house.
The girl directed the woman to pick the house key, which had been placed near the door, and upon opening, she was shocked at the state of the child. She raised an alarm and other neighbours responded.
He said that after interrogating the nine-year-old girl, she revealed that her mother was angered after she came home to find dirty dishes and other chores undone.
Despite receiving a beating from her mother, the child was later subject to another round when the father came back later in the night.
"The child was locked inside the house on Monday and part of Tuesday before she was rescued. The parents went on about their business. When we went to apprehend the mother, she was very arrogant. The girl was taken to a local dispensary where she was given painkillers. She now lives with her grandmother," he said
