Soldier burns teen with hot panga over chicken

The boy tortured by a soldier over a stolen hen recuperates at Kanyekine hospital in Meru. [Phares Mutembei, Standard]

A teenager is nursing serious burns after he was allegedly tortured by a neighbour, a soldier, for allegedly stealing a hen.

The boy from Kieni kia Ndege in Igoji East, Meru County, was burnt with a hot panga. 

The victim, who was admitted to Kanyekine Sub-county Hospital, was severely beaten and suffered cuts and burns on different parts of his body.

His family is now crying for justice, saying the "beastly" attack on the teenager left him scarred physically and psychologically.

“He was attacked by a neighbour, an army officer. The officer claimed the boy had stolen his hen. The officer and others tied the boy's hands and legs with a rope to a mango tree.

"They had a gas cooker, which they used to make the panga red-hot and used it to torture the boy,” said a relative to the victim.

The boy's family members say they fear the soldier.

The family also says it has been difficult to raise funds for the minor's treatment. 

“He was beaten seriously by the attackers. The army man came for him and dragged him away to a mango tree where they trussed him up, before inflicting serious injuries on his thighs. We demand justice,” said another family member.

He said the boy’s family was poor and feared that the teen might not get justice.