A woman who abandoned her five-year-old daughter has been jailed for five months by a Kericho Court.
Faith Cherono appeared before Kericho Resident Magistrate (RM), Elizabeth Karani on Wednesday and was given the option of a fine Sh.60, 000 which she failed to raise and thus was escorted to Kericho GK women prison to begin her jail term.
The accused left her sick child under the care of her son, a class eight pupil aged 14 years.
Cherono was charged that on diverse dates from 17 January to March 8, 2019 at Kapkitony village in Kapsoit location within Kericho County, she willfully abandoned her daughter causing her to suffer.
The prosecution told the court that the accused had been leaving her child under the care of the boy most nights and sometimes during the day for the last two months, negatively affecting his studies, while she went to Kapsoit Trading center reportedly to loiter.
Neighbours informed Assistant Chief (AC), Gedion Byegon of the matter and he assisted in taking the child to Kapsoit dispensary for treatment before reporting the matter at Kapsoit police post.
The AC met Cherono at a wines and spirits shop at Kapsoit Trading center and brought her to Kapsoit police post where she was charged with the offense.
The RM directed the prosecution to place the child at the Kericho Children’s Remand Home pending a report from the Children’s department.
In mitigation, the accused pleaded for leniency.
The court gave the accused 14 days to file an appeal.
By Sarah Njagi
