An 18-year-old woman believed to be involved in a child stealing syndicate has been arrested by members of the public in Mlolongo.
The suspect, identified as Miriam Wesonga Wandai, was presented to the office of Mlolongo Chief Peter Ndunda on Monday.
According to Chief Ndunda, residents brought the suspect to his office because they suspected her of being involved in child trafficking. When questioned, Wandai confessed to her alleged crimes.
“I took her away and booked her at Mlolongo police station for further investigation,” said Ndunda.
During the arrest, authorities discovered that the suspect had another child.
Chief Ndunda expressed concern for the child.
He said, “We suspect that this child that the suspect is holding may also have been stolen,” he said.
According to Chief Ndunda, the suspect confessed to having stolen two other children in Western Kenya and sold them for Sh50,000 each.
The suspect has been remanded in custody at Lang’ata Women’s Prison while detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) attached to Mlolongo Police Station begin investigations into the matter.
In a positive turn of events, the child that led to the suspect’s arrest was traced to Busia, where Wandai confessed to having taken him.
The two-and-a-half-year-old boy was safely transported from Busia to Mlolongo, where he was joyfully reunited with his relieved parents.
Giving further details, Assistant County Commissioner Dennis Ongaga said the suspect was found in the bush along Makanisani road.
“She claimed to live there but neighbours were suspicious of her,” Ongaga said.
The arrest was made possible after a person who claimed to have seen the suspect stealing a child from Mlolongo Phase 3 settlement two months ago alerted the authorities.
This incident follows a similar case in Bungoma County earlier this year where five people, including four women and a man, were arrested for allegedly stealing a baby from the maternity ward of a health facility.
The baby’s mother, Mercy Chebet, said she had given birth to twins but was only given a girl.
Child theft is a serious offence that undermines the safety and well-being of innocent children.
The authorities are urging communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police immediately.
