Collins Sambaya: My son is not a thief – Grandpa of boy nailed to tree

The young man who was nailed to a tree in Kenya on Friday, February 18, for allegedly stealing a radio, is presently recovering at a local hospital.

Collins Sambaya,19, was rushed to Itando Mission of Hope and Health Care centre after residents successfully freed him from his predicament.

According to the victim’s grandfather, Henry, his family is still shocked following the incident.

While likening Sambaya’s ordeal to Jesus Christ’s, Henry maintained that his grandson is innocent and was wrongly accused.

He confirmed that his grandson was nailed to the tree by one Eric Irime and his younger brother, who hail from the area.

“The incident occurred at around 2 pm, but I only got wind of the situation at around 5 pm. The suspects came to our home and tricked my grandson into following them into their household where they committed the act,” Henry told Citizen Digital.

“My grandson is innocent. A few days ago, the suspects took my grandson to a nearby police station, where they reported him for allegedly stealing the said radio. Officers, however, freed him after establishing that there was no evidence to support the pair’s allegations.”

Sambaya’s family now wants police to act swiftly and bring the two suspects to book.

“Honestly speaking, if the suspects were apprehended yesterday, things would have been very different right now,” Henry said.

“If they do get caught, we would like the matter to be handled by police. I have heard rumours that the pair might have been spotted nearby, but I am unsure. Local youths are, however, hot on their trails,” he added.

Ameh Jazzia-Becky