Family recounts horror of teen who survived murderous attack – VIDEO and PHOTOS
A family in Nairobi is in agony after their teenage son was beaten and left for dead last week by a murderous mob during violent clashes between police officers and protesters.
The 16-year-old Gabriel Odhiambo, a Form Two student at Kuoyo Kochia Secondary School in Homabay County, got caught up in the deadly clashes when Nasa leader Raila Odinga arrived back into the country.
Disturbing images showing him covered in blood after being mercilessly beaten have been widely shared on social media. His assailants are also reported to have stripped him and attempted to circumcise him.
Gabriel’s father, Walter Omollo, says his son had asked him for some cash to go purchase clothes and shoes in Gikomba Market, but that he was unfamiliar with the city.
When the attack happened, Gabriel was in the company of two friends, one of whom was also injured and taken to hospital. Luckily, his other friend managed to escape unharmed.
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For more than 14 hours Gabriel’s whereabouts was unknown as his family desperately searched for him, including making visits to Kamukunji Police Station and the City Mortuary.
The family eventually found a beaten and broken Gabriel and Kenyatta National Hospital.
“We found him at Kenyatta National Hospital casualty wing. His entire body was swollen and he had been labeled as an unknown African person,” father told NTV on Friday.
Gabriel has since been transferred to Nairobi West Hospital. He has been moved to the general ward after spending one week in the Intensive Care Unit but still in great pain.
Gabriel’s father, who blames the attack on members of the so called Nairobi Business Community, says the family reported the matter to Central Police Station (OB No. 120/17/11/17) but so far no suspects have been arrested.