Baby theft suspect arrested, charged after one dies at KNH
Lydia Nyaboke Charles at the Milimani Law Courts on November 20, 2020 over the theft of two babies from Kisii County.
What you need to know:
- Fate apparently judged the suspect harshly as the babies fell ill during her journey to hand them over to a ‘buyer’.
- Both women were arrested as they were unable to say who the children’s parents were and how they ended up with them.
A woman has been charged with stealing five-day old twins from Kisii County and taking them to Nairobi to sell them.
Fate apparently judged the suspect harshly as the babies fell ill during her journey to reportedly hand them over to a buyer.
Lydia Nyaboke Charles and Caroline Nyaboke, accused of helping to transport the babies, decided to take the children to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) but one died.
Both women were arrested as they were unable to say who the children’s parents were and how they ended up with them.
In court Friday, Milimani magistrate Martha Mutuku heard that Caroline eventually told police that Lydia asked her to transport the children to Nairobi from Ogembo Market in Gucha Sub-county, Kisii .
State prosecutor Anderson Gikunda urged the court to detain Lydia until November 24 to enable police travel to Kisii to gather more information.
The magistrate was informed that Caroline was charged earlier but that a trial date had not been set as police are looking for other suspects.
Mr Gikunda also noted the need to establish the health status of the surviving child, who was taken to a safe house.
Lydia faced four counts over stealing the two children and trafficking them on October 14, as well as abusing their vulnerability.
Ms Mutuku ordered the accused remanded until November 24.
She directed police to compile all the information needed for the case and supply the accused with all witness statements.
