×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Kenya's Bold Newspaper
★★★★ - on Play Store
Download Now

Archaic beliefs fuelling killing, abandonment of intersex children

Vocalize Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Vocalize

Baby feet. Intersex babies are often seen as a sign of looming danger and poverty in the homestead. [iStockphoto]

The birth of David (not his real name) was regarded as an evil omen. Aged barely three weeks old, his mother shoved him into a dusty sack of iron nails and dumped him at a construction site at Marereni village in Kilifi, leaving him to the elements.

The reasons for his mother's decision to shove him inside the sack are a subject of conjecture. Maybe she left him behind to suffocate or to be rescued by a well-wisher. David was born intersex in 2021.

Premium Article

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Fact-first reporting that puts you at the heart of the newsroom. Subscribe for full access.
Continue Reading  →
What you get
  • Unlimited access to all premium content
  • Ad-free browsing experience
  • Mobile-optimised reading
  • Weekly newsletters & digests
Pay via
M - PESA
VISA
Airtel Money
Secure Payments Kenya's most trusted newsroom since 1902
By AFP 8 hrs ago
Football
Luis Diaz shines as Colombia beat Uzbekistan in World Cup group game
Sports
Solidarity Boys end St Joseph's national football reign
By AFP 13 hrs ago
Football
Ronaldo fails to shine as DR Congo earn historic World Cup point
By AFP 13 hrs ago
Football
Kane scores twice as England beat Croatia to launch World Cup charge