Two women were on Monday separately charged before a Murang’a court with child negligence.
In first case, 26-year old Elizabeth Wanjiru who was arrested on February 5, at Muthithi village was charged of failing to take her two children to school.
Wanjiru was arrested after residents reported to the area chief that she has neglected her two children aged 11 and 9 years.
The two children were said to have not reported to school from beginning of this term prompting area chief accompanied by local Children Officer to arrest Wanjiru.
She pleaded guilty before Resident Magistrate (RM), Sheila Nyagah and pleaded to be given time to take her children to school.
Wanjiru defended herself, saying she had relocated from her home area and moved to Murang’a town where she was trying to secure admission for her children in one of the local primary schools.
“You honour am sorry for failing to take my children to school but now I have a chance to enroll them at Mijini Primary school in Murang’a town. I pray for forgiveness,” pleaded Wanjiru.
She said she has an infant and lack of money delayed the process of taking her children to school.
The RM released the accused on condition that she takes her children to school before February 14, or risk to being jailed.
The children officer was entrusted with responsibility to follow up and report the matter back to court on February 18.
The second accused, Josephine Wamaitha who also hails from Muthithi area in Kigumo Sub County denied charges of not taking her 10-year old child to school.
Wamaitha was charged with neglecting her son and leaving him under custody of his aging grandmother.
She was released on a Sh.50, 000 cash bail or Sh.100, 000 bond with a similar surety as her case was scheduled to be heard on March 4.
By Bernard Munyao/Carolyne Karanja
