Police in Shauri Moyo police station are holding a woman who was found carrying a baby in a laptop bag at Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Nairobi.
According to the reports, a security guard, Joseph Bitok, heard the baby crying and stopped the woman. The suspect claimed that it was her phone’s ringtone, but the security guard insisted on checking the bag leading to the discovery.
The baby’s mother, Rebecca Kasayo Ayiro, said she had given birth the previous day and was being processed for discharge. She said she had gone to the billing office, leaving the baby unattended on the bed at about 5.30pm.
“I came back only to find my baby missing and that is when I raised the alarm. Luckily an officer downstairs at the exit stopped the woman,” said Ayiro, 35.
“God is good and I thank Him because I got my baby back. Today’s world is cruel. Children are being abducted only to be sold off to other countries.”
The hospital’s management reportedly declined to comment on the matter.
The incident caught the attention of Nairobi governor Mike Sonko who said stern measures would be taken against the suspect. He urged nursing mothers, especially at county hospitals, to be vigilant.
“Let this incident be a lesson to all culprits. It is inhumane for someone to even think of stealing a baby who is only days old. I urge all nursing mothers to stay vigilant and in case of any suspicious activity, they can contact me directly on 0722886600,” said Sonko.
