Gacharage village: A 27-year-old mother of three is currently in police custody after a disturbing incident where she injured her six-year-old child with a panga for failing to peel potatoes. The attack, which took place in Gacharage village, Kuresoi North, Nakuru County, has shocked residents, particularly as it coincides with the end of the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
According to Kenya News Agency, area police commander Julius Kadenge confirmed the incident, noting that the young boy had gone to play in the neighborhood. Upon returning from work, the mother found that the potatoes were not peeled and attacked the child. Neighbors who heard the commotion rushed to rescue the boy and took him to the hospital for treatment of head injuries. His condition was later stabilized, and he has since been discharged.
Witnesses reported that the mother locked the house before slashing the child four times on the head and face. Sirikwa location Chief Elijah Cheruiyot stated that the mother acted out of anger, using a sharp object that resulted in deep cuts on the child’s forehead. Chief Cheruiyot coordinated the emergency response after being alerted by a nyumba kumi elder.
The incident has sparked discussions about the vulnerability of boy children in society, especially as global attention often focuses on GBV against women and girls. Some protection advocates highlight the need for a broader understanding of GBV to include violence directed at boys, while others associate it mainly with violence against women.
