Simon Osano, the Assistant Chief of Amabuko sub-location, has denied allegations that he beat and shamed a 15-year-old school girl to death.
The girl, a Form One student, allegedly refused to attend school and was summoned by the administrator, who is accused of publicly undressing and flogging her.
In an interview with local digital channels, Osano claimed that he never beat or shamed the girl, and that he was with local elders when they tried to take her back to school.
“I am devastated by the reports that have been circulated out there. I did not do what the deceased’s family is accusing me of. Good thing is I was with the Nyumba Kumi elders when we called the girl and tried to take her back to school, as we have done with other students who dropped out of school in this area,” Osano defended himself.
He alleged that the family is unhappy with his efforts to combat the sale of illicit brew in the area, which the government has banned.
“I am a state officer, there is no way I could do something like that. The family of the girl is not happy that I have been fighting the illicit brew it’s selling to the locals. That girl was not going to school because her parents insisted that she helps them to prepare the brew, which the government is against,” Osano further said.
Osano claimed that the girl’s parents had been using her to help them prepare the illegal brew instead of sending her to school.
He said that he negotiated with the school principal to allow the students to attend classes while their parents worked on finding ways to pay school fees.
The assistant chief also accused his competitors for the position of assistant chief of using the incident to tarnish his name, claiming that they are unhappy that he was elected ahead of them.
“The good thing is the matter is now in the hands of the DCI and truly I believe justice will be served. The good thing is there were people present who can corroborate my side of the story. At no point did I shame the girl, neither did I beat her father as he claims. I’m a church deacon, I can’t strip a lady, not even my wife, forcefully,” Osano denied.
The tragic incident has sparked widespread outrage over the conduct of a government officer. The girl’s family is demanding justice and an investigation into the matter. The body of the deceased has been taken to Ichuni Hospital morgue pending an autopsy.
The case has left the community in shock and grief, with many calling for accountability from those in positions of authority.
