Editor's Review

The suspect escaped with the 8-year-old son. 

A man who was caught beating his 8-year-old son in a viral video is at large after he evaded police arrest in Nakuru County. 

In a statement on Friday, June 21, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the suspect who has been identified as Kenneth Otieno escaped after getting information that detectives were after him.

The man fled together with the child on Friday morning before detectives arrived at his house in Nakuru.

“The DCI wishes to thank concerned members of the public who provided information on the identity of the man recorded on a video clip savagely beating his 8-year-old son, therefore enabling our officers to trace his home for purposes of effecting arrest.

“Unfortunately, getting wind that the police were hot on his trail, the man identified as Kenneth Otieno disappeared with the young boy in the wee hours of today morning, just moments before our detectives knocked at his door in Nakuru,” read the DCI statement in part.

File image of the DCI headquarters Gate. 

According to DCI, the suspect's whereabouts are unknown, and the safety of the 8-year-old boy may be at stake.

DCI called on members of the public with information on the suspect to report to the nearest police station or dial the DCI hotline number.

“We appeal to anyone who has information that could assist in rescuing the kid to share with us by reporting at any police station or call our Fichua kwa DCI hotline 0800 722 203,” the statement added.

The DCI launched a manhunt on the suspect on Thursday after his video beating up his son went viral on social media and sparked outrage from Kenyans.