The Kenyan teenager who was nailed to a tree last week for allegedly stealing a radio has pleaded with social media users to stop making fun of his pain.

 

According to Collins Sambaya, 19, the incident was very traumatizing and Kenyans should stop joking about his ordeal. 

 

“People should stop comparing me to Jesus or the two thieves who were crucified with him on the cross. I’m a victim of torture,” Sambaya told The Standard.

 

“In fact, I believe Jesus saved me from the jaws of death,” he added, noting that the incident has transformed him and he now wants to go back to school.

 

“I want to become a useful person in the society in future, after all, I went through.”

 

The teenager, however, maintains that he never stole the Ksh.6,000 worth radio his friends accused him of stealing in the Friday, February 18 incident.

 

“Why would I steal a radio when my grandfather owns one and my uncle has at least three of them?” he posed.

 

Sambana’s grandfather said 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 5pm. 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 was rushed to Itando Mission of Hope and Health Care centre after residents freed him from his predicament and is currently recuperating.

 

Meanwhile, the two suspects are still at large.