Woman held for burying baby alive

By LEONARD KORIR

Police in Trans Mara West District have arrested a woman who gave birth to a baby and allegedly buried it alive at a neighbour’s farm.

The mother of six was said to have blamed poverty for her offence.

"My husband is married to another woman with another five children and he cannot provide for all of us and, therefore, I saw the new baby as an additional burden," the suspect said.

Police arrested the woman together with her husband at their home in Isampin Location, Keyian Division following a tip-off from one of the neighbours.

According to the source, the woman was spotted burying the one-day-old infant in her neighbour’s garden.

Upon interrogation by officers from Enoosaen Police Post, the woman led the officers to the grave where she had buried the child.

The officers exhumed the body and took it, alongside the suspects to Kilgoris Police Station.

A neighbour said the man, who has another family, claimed he was unaware of his wife’s pregnancy, as he had stayed away from her house for a long time.

Digging a hole

Villagers said people working in the farm complained of a foul smell, whereapon a neighbour said he had seen the woman digging a hole in the farm.

It was after this that police were informed and took action.

Villagers wanted to lynch the woman but police intervened.

Local DO Philip Mbuvi said child neglect was on the rise and warned parents against absconding from their responsibility.

Trans Mara police boss, Titus Yoma, said the couple recorded a statement and the baby’s father was given the body for burial.

Mr Yoma said the woman was still in police custody waiting to be arraigned in court.

"We released the man after he confessed that he was not aware of what his wife had done and only learnt of it when police officers arrested them," said Yoma.