A court in Embu has jailed a couple for 20 years each for torturing their 9-year-old child.
Embu Senior Resident Magistrate Juliana Ndeng’eri sentenced the two to 20 years, saying the suspects “do not deserve to be near the children”.
The magistrate heard that the 9-year-old boy was tortured by his biological father and stepmother after he visited his grandmother without permission.
The court heard that on July 2, 2021, the suspects tied the 9-year-old minor to a chair and repeatedly hit him using a leash.
They poured cold water on the minor who was still tied to the sofa and left him in the same position for two days. The child was left for days without food and water until his siblings freed him after the couple had left.
However, this did not sit well with the two, beating up the minors for freeing the boy. An uncle intervened when he realized the couple was torturing the child.
He reported the matter to the police who arrested the couple. Cops also realized that the minor had detached nails, swollen arms and pus-filled his ears which had accumulated over time.
"What you have done to that child I have never heard since I started working here in Embu. you were not supposed to tie the child and beat him, you have set a bad example even to the other children.
"The court examined why you two as parents did not think it was necessary to take the child to the hospital. You just continued with your lives as if you did nothing wrong.
"The child was sick and you refused to give him food and water for four days. You also refused to get him medical attention and left him to sleep in a bed that you had poured water and he had an infection," the magistrate stated.
She warned that the parents had caused grievous harm to the child and the law stipulated that the sentence for such a crime was life in prison. Magistrate Ndeng’eri noted that she was being lenient with the 20-year sentence adding that the duo should not be near children.
Authorities have from time to time warned parents against taking harsh disciplinary measures against children noting that there have been numerous incidents where minors have lost their lives due to cruelty meted on them by their parents and guardians.
