Homa Bay woman kills her new born, hides at mother's house

Homa Bay Count Police Commander Samson Ole Kinne in his office on April 19, 2022. [James Omoro, Standard]

Police in Homa Bay are interrogating a 23-year-old woman for allegedly murdering her newborn child.

The woman who lives at Makongeni Estate is accused of giving birth to the baby at home and dumping him in a site designated for garbage.

After committing the crime, the suspect in question fled the scene and hid at her mother's house within the same estate.

According to the police, this was the second child for the suspect who is a single mother.

An eyewitness who had gone to dispose of garbage spotted the abandoned child and alerted neighbours.

The eye witness said upon checking the child, he had already died.

She raised an alarm which attracted the attention of the area residents who upon confirmation of the incident called the area assistant Chief Erick Odhiambo.

Upon arrival of Odhiambo, all pregnant women within the estate were called upon. The suspect however, failed to show up raising suspicion among her peers. Upon search, she was found hiding at her mother's house.

The Assistant chief said when asked about her pregnancy, the suspect admitted to have been pregnant but denied that she had delivered.

"I wanted to take her to a hospital, so that she could be tested. This instilled fear in her before she opened up and admitted that she had given birth. She could not say where the child was but was just crying when I showed her an image of the baby," Odhiambo said.

The suspect was later arrested and taken to Homa Bay Police Station.

County Police Commander Samson Kinne said they are interrogating the woman before taking a legal action against her.

"Abortion is a crime, and the woman will be charged in court for the death of the child. Nobody is allowed to take a way a life in any way," Kinne said.