Residents of a Nairobi estate are mourning the death of five-year-old Amanda Mutheu, who lost her life at the hands of someone she trusted, her uncle.
In a devastating turn of events, witnesses recounted that the incident unfolded on Thursday night when the man, identified as her uncle by the police, stormed their house and found baby Mutheu in the company of her nanny.
Visibly disturbed and intoxicated, the man created a scene before overpowering the nanny and forcibly taking Mutheu from her arms. Sensing imminent danger, the house girl ran out, screaming for help.
Before anyone could intervene, tragedy struck, and the man threw the child from the balcony.
"The management security patrolling the area, along with neighbours who responded to the screams, rushed to the scene. They were able to subdue the uncle and called the police," a statement from the estate read in part.
Visibly angered by his inhumane actions, the residents launched a brutal assault on the man, beating him into a pulp. However, the police intervened swiftly, saving him from a mob intent on taking his life.
While defending himself, the man alleged that he loved the girl so much and could not have thrown her off the balcony; he claimed that what he threw was a doll.
"I did not throw Mutheu, I love her so much, what I threw was a doll, you can check on the CCTV footage, it's a doll that I threw, not a child," the man told the residents in a video seen by Kenyans.co.ke.
Police from Kahawa West Police Station booked the suspect at the station before taking him to the Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital, where he received treatment for the injuries sustained.
Mutheu was also taken to the same hospital and admitted to the emergency unit under the Intensive Care Unit. Unfortunately, minutes later, she was declared dead.
The incident has sent shockwaves among the residents, who are now demanding justice for the young girl who had a promising future. She had begun a career in acting, and from posted videos, Mutheu was talented.
The Sub-County Commander of Kasarani Police Station, Emmanuel Rono, has assured the community and the family that they will ensure justice is served.
"We want to assure the members of the public and the family that justice will be done," Rono assured.
Responding to the unfortunate events, the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) has condemned the act, calling for quick justice for the baby. Consequently, FIDA has deployed an advocate to pursue this matter and follow up with the relevant authorities to ensure that the child and her family receive timely justice.
