A 24-year-old woman was apprehended by police in Kisii after tragically stabbing her step daughter with a hot knife for allegedly stealing 50 shillings from her. The girl who is only 8 years of age is bravely nursing deep injuries at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital.
According to reports, the minor was tied on a bed before her mother started torturing her. Local Chief Wilder Nyaboke said the girl had spent the two days with the wounds as her step-mother had locked her up in a room.
Doctors affirmed that the wounds and burns she sustained from the ordeal were critical and the girl would have to undergo surgery.
The medics noted that the girl had been stabbed severally using a hot knife but two wounds on the upper side of the thighs were more serious and required immediate attention.
Reports suggested that the suspect kept the girl hidden from her father who later realized what had happened and rushed her to hospital. Police are holding the suspect at Kisii central police before she is arraigned in court.
Child battering is illegal in Kenya and authorities have on several occasions warned parents and guardians against the psychological effects of child abuse. More cases of child abuse are reportedly done by mothers or female guardians over other people.
Consequently, such abuses have resulted in regular nightmares, withdrawal, disturbed sleep, burns, multiple bruises and marks, fractures and bald spots on the abused children.