Police are looking for brutal parents of a 13 year boy who are accused of brutally beating and mistreating their step child.
A video has gone viral online of the boy, who is bleeding heavily from a visible head injury and a swollen face. Speaking in Kikuyu, the boy says he was assaulted at night and forced to flee for his life, slept in a forest and had to seek help from a neighbor. The 45-second video does not give context on who assaulted him.
The Directorate of criminal investigation (DCI) has put up a public appeal to help trace the boy. In a tweet sent out on Monday afternoon they said they’re extremely concerned about the safety of the boy.
The #DCI is appealing for information on the whereabouts of this??poor brutalized boy(video below) for us to act with speed.
We are extremely concerned about the safety of the boy.
Please feel free to share with us any information that may help us on the matter. pic.twitter.com/FknQub1yc1
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) October 22, 2018
It has since been revealed that the boy is called Ismael Karuru Wareru from from Kibutio, Gikondi in Mukurweini Nyeri county.
According to residents, he is an orphan and has been living with foster parents.
“The “father” ‘bought’ him from a children’s home over 10 years ago. The mother took good care of him,, she was a dear mom to him. ” A certain Kihara Edwin said on Facebook. He claims to be a neighbor.
Things turned for the worst when the step father divorced his first wife and married another woman.
“The Step mother chased him away from Home ! The father ran away from his fatherly responsibilities. Karuru sought refuge at a hospitable home at Mbari ya Thige village. Life has not been good to Karuru.”
According to neighbors, the father’s name is Linus Waweru. The boy has since been taken to Mukurweini sub-county hospital by well wishers.
Kenyans on Twitter have condemned the action.
This escalation of violence against children shud worry all of us. These kids will be traumatised adults who will brutalise others as they hv also been traumatised. very very sad that a child that shud be enjoying the warmth of his home is now wandering about covered in blood!
— #Gain4SmallAccounts (@yourspenfully) October 22, 2018
From his Kikuyu, he’s from Nyeri. Might be a good place to start.
— #MUFCholic (@Timo_Utd) October 22, 2018
That poor child. I’m glad to hear he received medical attention and is getting assistance from good samaritans.
The culprit must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
— Denis (@denkely) October 22, 2018
We are diminishing humanity by being cruel to innocent people . we have to restore empathy by having justice to the minor. HUNT the culprits @DCI_Kenya
— Kaikai korikel (@kkedgie22) October 22, 2018