Do you know this boy? Police believe his life is in danger

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has put out an appeal to the public to help trace a boy whom they are concerned for his safety.

In a tweet sent out on Monday afternoon, the DCI shared a video of the boy who is bleeding heavily from a visible head injury and whose entire face looks swollen.

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 neighbour. The 45-second video does not give context on who assaulted him.

“The #DCI is appealing for information on the whereabouts of this poor brutalised boy 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,” read the tweet.

https://twitter.com/DCI_Kenya/status/1054316708322836480

However, last week, Citizen TV aired the plight of the boy on its #SemaNaCitizen mid-morning show where a good samaritan had taken him to Mukurwe-ini police station seeking justice for him.

Gichinga Muita, one of the good samaritans, said the boy was kicked out of home by his step parents and has been destitute for close to five years.

“Kama miaka tano hivi, huyu mtoto amekua hana nyumba ya kukaa, alifukuzwa na wazazi wake – hao wanajiita wazazi – na analala na kuvishwa na majirani… tumeona tulete hii kesi kwa media na police ili apate haki.” Mr. Muita told Citizen’s Martin Munene. (For five years, this child hasn’t had a home, he was kicked out by his so-called parents and he depends on neighbours for food and clothing. We have decided to bring his case to the media and police so that he can get justice.)

On his serious head wound, Muita said the boy was assaulted by a group of boys who ambushed him in his hideout.

“Huyu mtoto alipigwa mahali alikua amejificha na vijana na ni vijana anawajua na anawataja hadi na majina. Alipigwa sana na akapelekwa na good samaritan kwa hospitali hapa Mukwereini. (He was beaten up by some youth whom he knows even by name and a good samaritan rushed him to hospital.)

Hellen Wangui, one of the people who rushed him to hospital and then to the police station for help, pleaded that the boy is not handed back to his foster parents.

“…Tukamleta kwa polisi, akaona babake akaanza kutoroka. Nikmwambia wacha kupotea, hatakupiga tena,” said Ms. Wangui. “Asirudishwe huko kwao, achukuliwe na serikali sababu anateseka sana.” (At the police station, he saw his father and he fled and I assured him that he will never beat him up again. Let him not be taken back home, let the government help him because he is suffering a lot.)