Woman who killed her two children to serve 17 years, court says

The High Court in Eldoret has sentenced a woman, who pleaded guilty to killing her two children and dumping their bodies in a pit latrine, to 17 years in prison.

Flossy Cherono, 34, pleaded guilty to killing Ivyne Chelagat and Beryl Chepchumba on July 9, 2019, at Kaburwo area in Nandi county.

Cherono opted to kill her children after she found suitor who was willing to marry her but did not like the fact that she had children.

After killing the two aged 11 and seven, she dumped the bodies and fled with her personal items.

A neighbour had complained of the bad odour from the latrine and raised alarm.

Justice Reuben Nyakundi said the decision to kill the children was disheartening, especially since it occurred in the hands of their mother, who was mandated to protect them.

She pleaded to the manslaughter charges after striking a plea deal with the prosecution.

Justice Nyakundi said: "Where will our children find safety if not in their homes and under the protection of their parents?"

A post-mortem report showed one child was strangled and the other had a head injury. Justice Nyakundi noted that the accused woman should have instead sought help from her relatives in taking care of her children, rather than resorting to killing them.