Foster family finally names baby found dumped two years ago

Moi’s Bridge residents celebrate during the naming ceremony of baby Jeremy Lucky Kibet (carried shoulder-high) at the weekend. [PHOTO: PETER OCHIENG/STANDARD]

NAIROBI: A boy who was found abandoned after birth two years ago has finally been given a name.

The toddler, now named Jeremy Lucky Kibet, was found dumped in a bush at Moi's Bridge in Uasin Gishu County on February 2, 2014.

Two old women who were headed to a farm heard the baby crying and rescued him. He was found on dew-soaked grass in a thicket beside the road and with a freshly tied umbilical cord.

Caroline Chepkosgei, who later volunteered to look after the baby, says she was moved to see an innocent infant abandoned.

"I had gone to the police station when I found some officers and a group of residents had milled around a woman holding a baby said to have been picked in a bush. They tried to convince her to keep the little one but she refused," she explains.

Chepkosgei says she felt she had to do something and asked the police to grant her permission to take care of the baby.

The police obliged after Chepkosgei recorded a joint statement with the two women who brought the baby.

"I first took him to hospital for a wellness check-up and he was found to be okay except that he was hungry.

"I then took him home to my grandmother who solely brought me up. I told her everything and she accepted and prayed before we cleaned and fed him," she recalled.

Chepkosgei later went to the Eldoret West/East Children's Office seeking custody of the baby and was granted temporary safekeeping through a letter signed by Vitalis Kipyego, which was subject to review after one month.

"I returned to the Children's Office for review and permission to foster the baby but it was impossible legally because I was not married then.

"I didn't give up, as I had a strong attachment to Lucky. We agreed with my aunt, who is  married, to foster him, though I would provide everything," Chepkosgei added.

Chepkosgei's aunt, Emily Cheptum, says she did not object to keeping custody of the baby since her niece wanted to adopt because she had seen her (Chepkosgei) being raised by her grandmother and had grown up into a responsible adult.

"Her parents separated in 1992 when she was merely six years old and had to stay with her grandmother and has now grown up," said Cheptum.

Over the Easter weekend, Chepkosgei's family held a ceremony to give 'their son' a family name and fully integrate him as one of their own in a colourful event that was attended by neighbours and friends.

"We thought it wise to give Lucky a permanent sense of belonging in a befitting ceremony involving family and friends.

"Since we don't know his lineage, we called him Kibet – one who was born during the day – because that is when I found him," says Chepkosgei.

Chepkosgei, who is a nominated Member of County Assembly (MCA) in Uasin Gishu, has also bought Kibet a one-acre land where eucalyptus tree have been planted.

"Kibet is my first-born son. I was blessed with my nine-month-old twins last year... I am engaged to Zedekiah Kemboi and we have agreed to bring up this family together," she added.