Vihiga family seeks justice after son, 8, burnt with hot water over 'maize theft'

The boy's father, Paul Matika, said before he left home for his night guard duties at Luanda, he prepared some maize which the boy was to boil for supper and lunch the following day.

“My son is not a thief. I am the one who cut some fresh maize and left them for him to prepare after telling he was not coming back home for lunch as their school was participating in games,” Matika added.

“I was shocked to return home the following morning after work only to learn that he had been assaulted over allegations of plucking the neighbour's maize for dinner,” the aggrieved parent stated as he pleaded for justice to be served.

He said he was unable to raise the boy's hospital bill.

The accused neighbour denied claims that she was the one who inflicted injuries on the boy, who has been under medical care for three weeks.

“I am being implicated because I was the last person to pass by their compound yet it is my son who rescued the boy and rushed him to Hobuyaya health Centre before the boy was transferred for further medical attention," the woman said.

Paralegal officers from Vihiga Justice Centre who visited the parents of the victim said they are going to pursue the matter.

“We must be careful not to take law in our hands and assault children, for they have rights,” Alfred Asitiba said.