In a heartwarming rescue, 28-year-old Njeri Mugure, a deaf girl from Kihara, Kiambu, has been freed after spending a decade locked indoors by her mother.
When rescuers found her, Mugure appeared frail, with brittle bones that made walking impossible without assistance. The prolonged confinement had severely affected her speech and overall health.
The rescue was spearheaded by Njeri wa Migwi Mwangi of Usikimye, who emphasized the urgency of providing Mugure with supplements, medication, a portaloo, and gloves to aid her recovery process.
This act of compassion marks the beginning of a hopeful journey for Mugure, as she starts to rebuild her life after years of unimaginable isolation.
How was Mugure’s condition when she was rescued?
According to Njeri wa Migwi Mwangi, Mugure was born with a hearing impairment, and her mother locked her away because of it.
“Sometimes she is even chained on the seat and not allowed to go outside. Due to the deplorable conditions, malnutrition, lack of sun and being left in her excrement, her bones are brittle and she is unable to walk unsupported,” said Njeri.
“Her language is now guttural sounds, whereas neighbours say that she used to be vocal. Mugure has also not been cleaned in a long time,” she added.
What will happen to Njeri Mugure’s mum?
Since she had not been washed for a long time, Mugure’s skin developed scales, oral thrush, and other issues.
“Having rescued her, we took her to the hospital and reported the matter to Kihara Police Station; we are filling P3 forms today for the arrest of the mother due to gross negligence,” said Njeri.
“We need your help for her care over the next three months. Mugure needs a caregiver as she is unable to hold her urine or excrement. We need diapers, gloves, a portaloo to potty train her, a small walker to aid movement, drugs as well as supplements,” she added.
You can support Mugure’s recovery by contributing via Paybill number 510800, Account Usikimye, or directly through M-Pesa at 0718158400 (Arleen Migwi).
Rights Denied to Mugure
Njeri Mugure endured a decade of confinement that stripped her of fundamental human rights, including:
- Right to Freedom and Dignity: Being locked indoors violated her autonomy and subjected her to inhumane treatment.
- Right to Education: Mugure was deprived of opportunities to access learning, which is crucial for personal and social development.
- Right to Health: The lack of adequate nutrition, mobility, and medical care severely compromised her physical and mental well-being.
- Right to Social Inclusion: Isolated from society, she was denied interactions that foster community belonging and personal growth.
National Disability Rights Advocate Jonathan Metet condemned the incident, expressing his horror at such treatment. He urged parents not to hide children with disabilities, emphasizing that doing so violates their fundamental human rights and dignity.
“A child with disability has a right to life and should be treated with dignity,” said Metet.
“There is a need to sensitise parents of children with disabilities on disability inclusion; however lack of such knowledge should not be a reason to hide a child with disability,” he added.