A woman, identified as Pelesia Saoke, from Furfal village in Likuyani Kakamega County, Kenya, who went into hiding after allegedly burning her 14-year-old daughter for wasting maize flour, has been declared wanted by the police.

News24 reports that the Police have launched a manhunt for Saoke who was said to have tied the victim’s hands, caned her, then poured about a litre of kerosene on her before setting her on fire.

Meshack Kiptum, the Officer in Charge of Police District (OCPD), at Likuyani Kakamega County, who confirmed the incident, said the victim was rescued by neighbours who responded in time and saved her before informing the police who took her to Kitale hospital.

The OCPD said, “The-14-year-old girl is undergoing treatment as her private parts were burnt and she needs counselling.

“The mother has gone into hiding but police are surveying the area and she will be soon be apprehended with cooperation from the public,” Kiptum added, urging parents to avoid imposing such inhumane punishment on their children but look for other means of punishment.

According to reports, neighbours alleged that it was not the first time such incidence would occur. They reportedly said the woman was fond of beating up her children and threatening to set them ablaze.

The victim’s brother, Bonventure Okoth, said his mother came back home around 6 p.m and found his elder sister frying the maize flour when she burnt her.

Okoth said, “My mother tied my elder sister’s hands, beat her, soaked her with kerosene and burnt her before she went into hiding.

“She said she was punishing my sister for wasting maize flour,” he added.