Siblings kill brother for misplacing phone

Family members in a sombre mood after learning about the killing of Brian Mayieka by his siblings in Echararia village in Mbaruk, Gilgil sub-county. [PHOTO: BONIFACE THUKU/Standard]

A boy was on Tuesday evening beaten to death by his elder siblings in Echararia village in Mbaruk, Gilgil sub-county, for having allegedly misplaced a cell phone.

Brian Mayieka, 11, had been sent by his sister to take the phone for charging at Mbaruk centre, some 500m away from their home on Sunday evening, but met other children along the way and misplaced the phone while playing with them.

After he reportedly informed his sister about the incident, she was incensed and demanded that he produces the phone.

According to a neighbour, Mayieka’s sister suspected he had sold the phone.

Grace Kemunto said the boy left home on Sunday evening to look for the phone and when he returned home on Tuesday evening without it, his elder sister and brother set on him.

The neighbour said the two tied the boy’s hands and legs with a rope and began beating him as they demanded that he produces the phone.

“The minor pleaded for forgiveness from the sister but she did not listen to him. She claimed that the boy was rude and might have sold the phone,” said Kemunto.

DEEP PAIN

She said they beat the boy for almost three hours before they hit him with a metallic object that killed him.

Kemunto said after the heinous act, the woman escaped while officers from Mwariki Police Station arrested her brother who was fleeing. He was taken to Gilgil Police Station.

James Maina, a neighbour, said he rushed to the scene to rescue the boy but found he had died.

“I heard cries of help and immediately rushed to see what was happening only to find the minor in deep pain before he breathed his last,” he said.

During the Tuesday evening incident, the mother of the deceased had travelled to her ancestral home in Kisii County to visit her other children.

Sophia Kerubo, a cousin of the deceased who stays in Nakuru town, said she was shocked to learn of the tragic incident.

Nakuru County Police Commander Hassan Barua confirmed the incident, saying the boy was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

He said police officers had launched a manhunt for the woman on the run.

“With our intelligence, we have managed to trace the whereabouts of the suspect who escaped immediately the incident happened and a team has been sent to arrest her,” said Mr Barua.

Gilgil OCPD Serah Koki refused to comment on the incident, saying she was not authorised to speak to the media.