A man allegedly died after being beaten by the community as corporal punishment for allegedly insulting his parents in Marima-Tharaka on April 29, and three suspects were on the loose, a friend said.
Police responded and found the man, known as Mwiti, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
A friend to the deceased told Baite Tv that the three suspects allegedly locked his house from the outside after the beating and claimed that no one was allowed to see him. She said that she was shocked to learn later that he had died.
“Mwiti was one of my most valuable clients to my business and I was astounded to learn of his death. He is said to have insulted his mother, and after this was reported to members of the community, three people were sent to give him a thorough beating.
We demand justice for Mwiti and the arrest of the suspects. We blame the community for his death because they would have pursued other disciplinary measures, such as taking him to the police,” she said
Another resident said: “Mwiti inherited land from his father, but with restrictions, such as access to Macadamia trees. His father is the one who ordered him to be beaten after insulting his mother.
Mwiti worked as a tout at a tea room with a Nissan Sacco, wooing passengers to travel in the Sacco’s vehicles.
We were astounded to learn that his biological parents would subject him to such inhumane torture that he died.”
A colleague to Mwiti said: “I’m a Nissan Sacco driver, and Mwiti used to help a lot with the growth of the business at tea room. We believe the accusations leveled against him are untrue because he was kind and helpful to the people, particularly Muthambi.
We are heartbroken and hope that justice will be served.”
