Mother in custody for beating son over paraffin

By Kenan Miruka, Nicholas Anyuor, Job Weru, Leonard Korir And Wairimu Kamande

A mother is in remand at Homa Bay Prisons after denying charges of child cruelty and neglect.

Judith Ravanga Mackenzie is accused of assaulting and abandoning her seven-year-old son. The Standard Two pupil at Shauri Yako Primary School had poured paraffin from a bottle thinking it was dirty water.

He wanted to use the bottle to carry drinking water to school.

When the mother realised that the only paraffin in the house had been poured, she pounced on him with serious beatings causing injuries.

She then stripped the boy naked and tied his hands and legs. Mackenzie then locked him in the house and left for her businesses.

Neighbours heard the boy screaming and alerted the Assistant Chief Mr Kenneth Lang’o who with the help of neighbours rescued him.

The chief then took the naked boy to Homa Bay Police Station and later to the district hospital for treatment.

She denied the charges and Senior Resident Magistrate, Charles Mutai, ordered that she remains in custody until August 26, when the hearing continues