Two 17-year-old boys from Gatanga in Kiambu County are nursing serious injuries after they were run over by a Del Monte security vehicle on Saturday morning.
The two teenagers, Brian Ingusu and his cousin David Lucheri, were headed home to Kihiu Mwiri village from fetching fodder when they were chased while on a motorbike by a Del Monte security vehicle, with the guards claiming that they had been stealing fruits from the company’s farm.
Ingusu sustained deep cuts on his face as his rib and right limb were also broken. His cousin David also sustained bruises all over his face, hands and legs.
“They chased us and knocked us from behind. I fell unconscious and woke up at the hospital,” Ingusu said.
The two have been admitted at the Thika Level 5 Hospital where they are receiving treatment.
The parents have asked Del Monte Kenya Limited Company to take responsibility and help cater for the children’s medical bills. They also complained of negligence from health workers at the hospital.
“Kwa nini hii kampuni inatufanyia hivo? Inatuulia watoto. Saa hii mtoto wangu amevunjika, sina mbele wala nyuma. Nitatoa wapi pesa nitibu mtoto? Mimi nataka tu watu wa Del Monte wawajibike na wajue wamekosea mahali pakubwa sana na si mara ya kwanza,” said David’s mother.
“Wenye huwa wanatutesa ni hawa security wa Del Monte wakishirikianana na polisi wa station zenye ziko karibu. Vita yenye huwa tunakutana nayo ni vita ingine kali sana. Wengine mpaka wameuwawa, wengine ni viwete,” another villager added.
Both parents and the locals have said that such cases have been recurrent and no action has been taken against the company.
