The world turned its back on 8-year-old Karingit Lotukei when he was only two years old after his mother died.
His problems did not end there because three years later, the speech-impaired boy contracted what villagers believe is a mental illness and since then he spends his days tethered to a tree while partially naked.
His father, who is rarely home, does not have the financial muscle to cater for his medical expenses. Karingit lives with his 84-year-old grandmother Chemket Angolei.
Ms Angolei says she has to tie him to the tree to avoid losing him.
“If I untie him, he will run away,” said Ms Angolei.
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Asked why the boy is tethered while naked, the granny said he soils himself.
“His father Lotukei Lotepa, brought him here requesting assistance and disappeared. I do not get any help, so I am forced to do this,” she says.
The old woman says she has resigned herself to Lotukei’s fate.
“He has never spoken since he was born and he has mental problems. Though I love him, he is a financial burden to me,” the woman said through an interpreter.
With her advanced age, Angolei says, it is becoming increasingly difficult to make ends meet. She is forced to fetch firewood and water for neighbours in exchange of food.
Distant fantasy
The cash meant for the elderly is only but a distant fantasy for this granny.
“I was told about Government money set aside for the elderly but nobody has approached me to collect my details. It’s painful that with this burden heavily weighing down on me, I have received no Government support,” she said.
The boy is usually tethered from sunrise to sun set under the scorching sun and only allowed in the grass-thatched hut at night. From inside, one can clearly see the blue sky since the roofing straws have fallen off.
“The rope remains on his hand day and night because I do not want to lose this boy,” she said.
Silale MCA Nelson Lotela said he was on Monday informed of the incident for the first time and immediately rushed to the scene.
When contacted, Tiaty Deputy County Commissioner Daniel Kurui, said he was not aware of the incident and promised to follow-up with the area chief, adding that action would be taken on anybody found to have contributed to the boy’s problems.
