MAENDELEO ya Wanaume Organisation chairman Nderitu Njoka has urged the government to formulate a policy to protect boys and young men from discrimination. He said society needs to protect the boy child just like the female counterpart. Njoka too emphasis on the welfare of the girls has been to the detriment of the male child's rights.

He was speaking in Mukurwe-ini constituency where he condemned the mob beating of a 13-year-old- boy suspected to have stolen Sh500 from a shop. He blamed poor parenting for the indiscipline among boys. "The beating of the Standard Seven pupil was uncalled for. It is barbaric and extremely traumatising to the child as he suffered sores on his skin following whipping by members of the public," he said.

Njoka said those who felt aggrieved should have sought assistance from authorities.

"Boys and young men find themselves on the receiving end when they're suspected of a crime since they get beaten mercilessly and sometimes lose their lives after being lynched. This trend has to stop and society has to let the law take its course in dealing with suspects." He said.

Njoka called on police to arrest and charge those involved in beating the boy at Marua trading centre of Nyeri County a week saying that they were well known in the area.