The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Law enforcement in Kirinyaga has apprehended a 14-year-old boy on allegations of being part of a criminal group causing distress to other young boys in Mutithi village, Mwea West sub-county.
The arrest followed numerous complaints from concerned parents in the village, who brought the matter to the attention of Mutithi Police Post. Subsequently, it was referred to Kiamaciri Police Station.
Reports indicate that parents accused the 14-year-old, who reportedly completed his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams last year, of targeting younger boys, ranging from Grade 4 to Grade 7, and coercing them into pilfering money from their parents.
One parent, Peter Murage, expressed concern about his child dropping out of school due to fear of the gang’s leader, noting, “I know his parents well, as he was in Class 8 last year.”
Esther Nyamboke, another parent, claimed that the suspect forced her grandson to steal rice from her residence, compelling him to sell it or face physical harm.
The situation gained attention when Francis Muthike’s grandson, a Grade 5 pupil, contemplated self-harm after being threatened with death for failing to provide the gang with Ksh.6,000.
Muthike stated, “My grandson had been stealing bags of rice from my store without my knowledge to sell and give the money to the gang. I saved him from harming himself, and when he recounted the entire story to me, I could not believe it.”
Two boys aged 11 and 12, who fell victim to bullying, recorded statements at Kiamaciri Police Station on Tuesday evening, with others expected to follow suit later in the week.
Deputy Police Commander Sammy Beautah of Mwea West sub-county confirmed the incident, stating that the statements would facilitate the suspect’s appearance in Baricho Law Courts on Wednesday.
