Police in Trans Nzoia County are holding in custody a 21-year-old woman following a fetus dumping incident that happened over last weekend.
Speaking to Kenya News Agency (KNA) on Tuesday morning, County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) Francis Kihara confirmed the incident which occurred in Chereng’any Sub County.
According to police records, security officers on Monday morning saved Anita Jepkosgei from an irate mob of villagers that was baying for her blood following the unfortunate incident.
Speaking separately to KNA, Mr Daniel Maina, husband to the suspect, narrated events leading to the tragedy.
“I actually knew my wife was due to deliver any time before I left home on Saturday. But upon returning home the following evening I found her without the pregnancy,” recounted Maina.
He added that his efforts to establish the whereabouts of the pregnancy were met by rude responses by a furious Jepkosgei, almost leading to a physical scuffle between the two.
“I opted for peace and decided to sleep,” continued Maina, adding the couple was however, woken up Monday morning by an irate group of villagers that was demanding explanations from the wife who was accused of delivering and dumping a nine-month fetus.
Fearing for her life, the suspect is said to have opened up and admitted committing the crime. She led the group to a pit latrine where the fetus had been dumped.
Police officers arrived at the scene of crime in time and saved the woman from the irked members of the public.
The security agents, with help from the public, retrieved the body from the latrine.
“The security team combed the area before recovering the placenta from a nearby bush,” reported CCIO Kihara.
“Investigations by medical staff at the Chereng’any Hospital establish the fetus as a female weighing 4 kilogrammes born after nine months with all body organs. However, there were visible injuries on the forehead and buttocks,” added Kihara.
The body was later transferred to Kitale County Referral Hospital for autopsy.
Kihara has urged women in the area against engaging in inhuman acts, especially bordering on abortion.
“Children protection regulations are very clear,” he remarked.
By Maurice Aluda
