Police in Rachuonyo South, Homa Bay County, Kenya, have arrested a 32-year-old woman accused of killing her one-day-old infant by drowning it in a pool of water before burying it in a nearby farm.
The arrest on Saturday night, January 13, 2024, followed suspicions from neighbours who noticed the absence of the woman and her child for an extended period during the day.
Meanwhile, the matter to a village elder, prompting Kamuma Sub-location Assistant Chief Collins Joram to investigate.
It was revealed that the woman gave birth on Thursday, January 11, and tragically, the baby died on Saturday, January 13. The suspect decided to conceal the body by placing it in a box and burying it in a shallow grave covered with earth.
According to Mr Joram, the suspect had a successful delivery at a house belonging to a community health promoter.
“She had a successful delivery within the village and was assisted by a community health promoter. It was a girl,” stated the administrator.
According to report gathered, the suspect allegedly enlisted the help of one of her daughters to accompany her to a nearby abandoned farm where they reportedly buried the baby in a box .
Neighbours grew suspicious on Saturday when they didn’t see the woman breastfeeding the baby, leading to inquiries.
The matter was reported to the local administration, prompting Mr Joram to question the children.
After the intervention, the woman led officers to the grave, where the body was exhumed. She was subsequently arrested and detained at the Oyugis police station pending arraignment.
