Woman held over abortion, dumping foetus in latrine

Police in Trans Nzoia County have arrested a woman who allegedly aborted and dumped the foetus in a pit latrine.

Quick intervention by police saved the 21-year-old suspect from angry residents who wanted to attack her during the incident at Kapkarwa village, Trans Nzoia East sub-county.

In a report filed at Kachibora Police Station, the woman's husband said his wife was expectant and was due to deliver when she allegedly aborted and dumped the foetus in a pit latrine.

"When I inquired about the pregnancy, my wife become furious and rudely responded that she does not know what happened. I decided to retire to bed," the man told police.

The man said he was awoken by screams from residents who wanted to administer mob injustice on his wife.

It was after threats from the mob that the suspect revealed that she had terminated the eight-month pregnancy.

"It is after the mob threatened to beat up my wife that she disclosed that she had conducted an abortion and dumped the foetus at a nearby pit latrine," he said.

Police officers supported by a fire brigade team from the county government managed to retrieve the body of the baby girl.

The officers also recovered a placenta from a nearby bush and also documented the scene of the crime.

The recovered foetus weighing 4kg had all body parts intact. There were visible injuries on the forehead and buttocks.

The body was moved to the Kitale County morgue.

Trans Nzoia County Criminal Investigation officer Francis Kihara said the suspect will be arraigned soon.