This archive report was first published on 14 May 2020.
Susan Wangui, the mother of 19-year-old Derick Ndung'u who was beaten to death by a mob, has won the hearts of Kenyans after condemning her son's actions despite losing him.
Wangui revealed in a viral video that she had warned her son against stealing, but her warnings fell on deaf ears. She said she gave her son the best, taking him to a driving school after he completed form four and even offering to start a business for him, but he refused to work.
Wangui recalled one day when she called the police to arrest Ndung'u after he stole someone's phone. He spent three months in jail and was released on half a million bond. Wangui convinced him to work, but he refused, saying his 'kazi ni kuiba' (his job is theft).
She also narrated how Ndung'u used to snatch people's phones and that she had received many cases of theft committed by him, warning him that the wages of sin is death.
Before his death, Ndung'u lied to his mother that he was going out to see his girlfriend, only to receive a call that he was being beaten by a mob a few minutes later. Wangui explained that Ndung'u did not live in her house, as he had rented a house and refused to live with her because he knew she did not tolerate his habit.
Wangui went ahead to warn thieves, saying their days are numbered and that they should abandon their habit and find work with their hands.
Reactions from Kenyans have been pouring in, with many praising Wangui for her honesty and courage in accepting her son's mistakes and warning others against theft.
