Man threatens police with spear for raiding his house

Man threatens police with spear for raiding his house

There was drama at a home in Ruiru after police raided a home belonging to a 60 year old man accused of marrying a minor as his second wife.

The police, who were attempting to rescue the 12-year old girl who was allegedly married off by her parents, faced resistance from the man who threatened to kill them

The man, identified as Solomon Ole Paddi, armed himself with a spear, a knife and a club and dared the police officers to arrest him or get near his house.

According to a boda boda operator who identified himself as Wagacha Wanjau, residents were curious on why Mr. Paddi was always in the company of the minor.

Upon finding out that the minor was Mr. Paddi’s wife, Mr. Wanjau reported the matter to the police who then raided the house.

A journalist was injured when the 60 year old charged at the journalists present questioning why they were filming his house.

Police, however, managed to disarm and arrest him along with his 12 year old wife.

Paddi, who is from the Maasai community and works as a herder in Ruiru, said that his tradition allows them to marry underage girls adding that he had paid the required dowry to the girl’s parents.

The two were taken to Ruiru Police Station for further questioning.

Ruiru OCPD Isaack Thuranira urged members of the public to volunteer any information on early marriages saying the practice is illegal.

Cases of early marriages are common among the pastoral communities with parents reportedly forcing their daughters to marriages upon receipt of requisite dowry.

In Samburu, Josephine Kulea – a girl child activist – has been carrying out a campaign against early and forced marriages by rescuing girls who have been forced out of school and married off to elderly men.

Ms Kulea was recognized by U.S. President Barrack Obama for her efforts during his recent visit to Kenya during the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.

Areas that have been marked as notorious with early and forced marriages as well as the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) include Samburu, Pokot, Kajiado, Narok and Laikipia among others.

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kenya Man early marriages underage wife underaged girls

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