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Gatundu North: Family cries for justice after teen is brutally tortured
31st October, 2025 04:18 PM
A family in Turuini village, Gatundu North, Kiambu County, is crying for justice after their 17-year-old son was brutally tortured, burned with melting plastic, and attacked with ants over claims of stealing two kilograms of coffee cherries.
The incident happened alongside farm workers on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, where the victim, identified as Onesmus Kariuki, suffered severe burns on his back and legs after he was assaulted by an assailant whom the family described as a police officer.
Kariuki recounted that he had been caught stealing coffee from a local farm when one of the workers attacked him with a machete.
“I pleaded with him not to kill me and to instead take me to the owner of the farm. The owner cut my finger before handing me over to a police officer identified as John,” Kariuki said.
According to Kariuki, the assailant tied his hands and legs, then melted plastic and sprinkled it on his body.
“When he saw that my clothes were shielding me, they tore them apart and continued pouring the burning plastic. I suffered serious burns on my back and legs,” he recalled painfully.
As if that was not enough, Kariuki said, the assailants poured a bottle of brown ants over his body before leaving him tied in the rain, unable to move.
Also watch: Shock in Kinangop as 11-year-old boy found beheaded in maize farm.
Police on Kariuki
He was later taken to Kamwangi Police Station, where officers are said to have instructed the complainants to take him to the hospital before booking him under OB No. 15/29/10/2025.
Kariuki was held in the cells overnight despite his injuries and released the following day before being arraigned in court.
A letter from Kamwangi Police Station, seen by K24 digital, directs Kariuki to report back to the station on November 7, 2025, to assist in the investigation of the claimed theft case.
“I do hereby compel you to avail yourself at Kamwangi Police Station on November 7, 2025, at 10 am without fail, having reason to believe that you have information which may assist in the investigation of an alleged offence of stealing farm produce,” the letter written by Jackson Kelly and dated October 30, 2025, indicated in sections.
His mother, Salome Muthoni Kirumba, said her son’s ordeal has left her traumatised and heartbroken.
“I have not been eating or sleeping, watching my son suffer such burns. He spent cold nights in the cells with open wounds. How inhuman can people get?” she lamented.
Muthoni added that she was unable to raise the Ksh5,000 bond demanded by police for her son’s release.
Who deserves justice?
The family also claims that the complainants have refused to release Kariuki’s torn clothes to conceal evidence of the assault.
They are now appealing to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and other oversight bodies to intervene and ensure justice is served.
“What was done to my son is not only inhuman but unconstitutional. He deserved to be charged in court if he was guilty, not tortured,” Muthoni said.
Kariuki’s sister, Alice Wanjiru, echoed the same plea.
“Even if he made a mistake, nothing justifies this kind of brutality. Our brother is in pain and can hardly eat or sleep. We just want justice,” she said.
