Kids Brutally Beaten Over Alleged Theft of Christmas Chama Funds
Two children, aged 11 and 12, suffered severe assault in Kiumbu village after being accused of stealing Ksh.30,000 from a women’s savings group known as a chama, funds earmarked for Christmas celebrations.
This heartbreaking incident underscores the dangers of mob justice in Kenyan communities, where suspicions can quickly escalate into violence against vulnerable minors .
Incident Details
According to Kiarukungu location chief Henry Kariuki, the two children allegedly stole the money and two phones at Jackson Muchira’s homestead.
“The 11-year-old boy is a learner at Kiumbu primary school, while the 12-year-old boy dropped out of the school two years ago,” Kariuki said.
The children faced brutal beatings from group members who believed they had taken the missing money from the chama’s contributions.
“The owner of this homestead has told me that the Ksh.30,000 was meant for a women’s group where his wife is the treasurer, and I have taken the two children to Wang’uru police station,” Kariuki said after the incident.
Local reports indicate the assault left the young victims with significant injuries, prompting calls for police intervention and medical attention.
The parents complained that the two were taken to Kimbimbi sub-county hospital after local media intervened.
“Police have been taking us around until the officer commanding Wang’uru police station and media from the royal media services intervened, and we are wondering why the man who assaulted our sons is in Kimbimbi sub-county hospital with police officers, and he is supposed to be in the police cells.”
No arrests have been confirmed yet, but the case highlights ongoing issues with child protection during the festive season.
The two children were released from Wang’uru police station on Sunday night after the complainant agreed to take medical care of the children and agreed to pay Ksh. 30,000 to the local women’s group.
“We want action taken against the man who assaulted our children. If police officer from Wanguru police station will not arrest him we will land at the Inspector General of Police Doughlas Kanja’s offices. We will not allow Kangaroo court in Wang’ uru police station,” one relative, Jane Wanjiku said.
Chamas are popular informal savings groups among women, pooling money for shared goals like holiday expenses, but theft allegations often lead to swift, unregulated punishments.
This event in Kiumbu mirrors broader patterns of vigilante actions in rural areas, where trust breakdowns fuel excessive force.
Authorities urge communities to report suspicions to police instead of taking matters into their own hands.
Kenyan law prohibits violence against children, yet such assaults persist, especially around high-stakes periods like Christmas.
Advocacy groups emphasize the need for education on legal reporting and child welfare to prevent repeats . The victims’ families are seeking justice, raising questions about community accountability and support systems for affected kids.