Boy’s hand amputated after herder scalds him over unga

Ms Julia Muthomi, a nurse at Consolata Mission Hospital, Nkubu, attends to the boy on February 21, 2019. His hands were amputated. PHOTO | CHARLES WANYORO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The boy’s kin said he was grazing sheep and goats when he wandered into a manyatta.

  • Fellow herders notified his relatives who mounted a search.

  • The boy’s relatives want the culprit arrested and prosecuted.

Doctors at Consolata Mission Hospital in Nkubu, Meru County, have amputated the hand of an 11-year-old boy, who was scalded by a man for allegedly stealing maize flour.

The boy's right hand was amputated above the elbow. Ms Julia Muthomi, the institution’s director of nursing, on Sunday said that the patient was responding well to treatment.

Ms Muthomi said health workers were closely monitoring how the patient was responding to treatment.

 “He looks better today but could remain here for a while as the stumps heal,” she said.

The boy’s kin said he was grazing sheep and goats when he wandered into a manyatta. He found some maize flour and prepared ugali, but as he was about to eat, the owner arrived, seized and thrust the boy’s hands into boiling water.

UNCONSCIOUS

Fellow herders notified his relatives who mounted a search. He was later found lying unconscious under a shrub. Loiyangalani deputy county chief Mutua Njeru said the man was arrested but a heavily armed group surrounded Kargi police post and freed him.

 “We urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to inform us,” Mr Njeru said by phone.

The boy’s relatives want the culprit arrested and prosecuted.  “The wounds were badly infected when we received him,” Ms Muthomi said.