A 4-year-old child who was abandoned at birth in Baringo has found a home at Precious Kids’ Children’s Home in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County courtesy of Children’s Department.
The child who was named Peter Kiprono was found abandoned in 2018 at Kinyach Forest, Baringo North sub-county, Baringo County by unknown persons who have never been traced to date.
Police officers patrolling the forest discovered Kiprono lying in the thicket, rescued him and surrendered him to the children’s office in Baringo Central Sub-County, Baringo County.
Irene Chepkwony, the Baringo Central children’s officer took up the matter and looked for a place where the baby would stay.
Bamba Children’s Home owned by Zachariah Ruto in Kabarnet town took up the infant till recently when it was closed down in 2020.
Ruto cited financial challenges as the reason he had to close down the children’s home that previously assisted abandoned children in Baringo.
“After Covid 19 pandemic struck, taking care of the abandoned children became difficult due to financial challenges forcing me to close down in 2020,” he said.
After closing the children’s home, Ruto further looked for a caregiver Josephine Tusken who has been taking care of Kiprono at her home in Kapkut village, Baringo Central Sub-County. Tusken has no capacity to care for the infant due to various medical challenges the child has.
The child with multiple disabilities including birth asphyxia, cerebral palsy and convulsive disorder has now found a home at Precious Kids’ Children Home in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County through a court order.
The court order given by Resident Magistrate Viennah Amboko stated that the infant will be accorded care and protection by the children’s home for a period of three years.
“I have been liaising with my colleagues in other counties to find placement of care and protection to a child in need of care. He is lucky to have found a home in Kitale and he will be taken there in a week’s time,” Chepkwony said.
Chepkwony further thanked the caregivers of the child stating that they had a heart of gold having cared for the infant for four years.
By Caroline Cherono
