Boy’s fingers burnt over mobile phone, father and stepmum arrested

Police in Kisumu have arrested the parents of a 14-year-old boy for allegedly burning his fingers over a lost mobile phone.

The boy is a Class 8 pupil and is to sit for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exam that starts on Tuesday next week.

According to Nyando Police Boss Leonard Matete, both parents were questioned on suspicion that they conspired to commit the crime.

The boy, whose mother died when he was 1 month old, has been living with his father and step mum.

The parents had accused him of stealing the phone.

It is alleged that Rose Akoth then wrapped her step-son’s hand with newspaper, tied it and poured paraffin before setting it ablaze.

The police boss told Citizen Digital that Akoth and her husband Ojoro Omuya allegedly intended wanted to hide the incident.

Preliminary investigations revealed that they allegedly tried to coach the boy on what he should say.

Police took the boy to hospital and he is to be moved to a children rescue centre for observation before he sits for the KCPE examinations.