Police in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, say a 23-year-old woman they are holding in connection with a child theft case could be a serial child trafficker.
Jacinta Ouma, was arrested on Tuesday in Busia where she was found with a two-month-old baby she allegedly stole in Kitale town, Trans Nzoia County, on Sunday. Her arrest followed a tip-off from the public.
Baby Ivy Nyapidi was stolen from a busy shopping centre in Kitale by the suspect, who claimed to be a charity worker helping teenage mothers from poor backgrounds.
Police said the woman pretended to be a USAID official and said she wanted to help teenage mothers. Law enforcement officials add that she had previously posed as a GSU officer.
On the fateful Sunday, the suspect met the baby's mother, Edaa Akiru, 33, and took her to a salon at the Nyayo Market Business Centre. The two were supposed to travel together to Nairobi, where the baby's mother had been promised a job.
According to police, she had several identities under the name Lydia Anyango aka Jacinta Ouma. Police described her as a habitual offender and suspect she was taking the child to Uganda.
The suspect had visited some teenage mothers in Kitale earlier this month and asked to meet the young mothers with their babies for an introduction before she could identify the most vulnerable ones and connect them with overseas donors who were supposedly willing to offer support and jobs.
The victim's mother was among those selected, and Sunday was her day to travel to Nairobi to meet her supposed donor. However, the suspect decided to take her to a hairdressing salon before they could travel together.
According to a police report filed at Kitale Police Station, the baby's mother and the suspect entered the shopping mall, where she was booked into a saloon and the suspect held the baby for her.
CCTV footage shows the suspect pretending to buy snacks at the next shop, only to disappear with the baby on a waiting motorcycle outside the mall.
After minutes of no return, the salon raised the alarm, suggesting to the baby's mother that the woman might have stolen her baby.
A search was launched, but it was too late as it emerged that the woman had disappeared with the baby and was on the run, leaving the newborn's safety in doubt.
“We are also looking for the boda-boda rider, who from analysis of the CCTV footage, is suspected to be a member of the child trafficking syndicate and could have been involved in planning the theft. We are also using other people of interest to help us with information,” said Patrick Gaitirira, the Trans Nzoia West Sub-County Police Commander.
Speaking after being reunited with her baby at Kitale Police Station on Wednesday evening, the mother demanded that the suspect who duped her be brought to book.
“I am overwhelmed, but I am thankful to God for getting my baby back because it has been a nightmare. I had been promised a job in Nairobi and didn’t know the woman was a child thief,” said Ms Akiru.
Trans Nzoia Deputy County Police Commander Selasio Murithi said they believe the suspect was working with others in a child trafficking network.
“We suspect this lady could be a serial child trafficker and we have connected her to other criminal activities. We are working with detectives from Busia to unravel this syndicate because we want to know the status of her previous case where she impersonated a police officer,” Mr Murithi told Nation.Africa .
He said police were tracking down her accomplices while interrogations over her other criminal activities continued.
It has emerged that the suspect was previously arrested in January, but released under unclear circumstances, which police say they are now investigating.
“Our officers have intensified investigations to arrest other suspects in the syndicate,” said the Deputy County Police commander.
On Wednesday, detectives from Kitale Police Station travelled to Busia and picked up the suspect from Sio Port Police Station.
Trans Nzoia West Sub-County Police Commander Patrick Gaitirira told Nation.Africa that police from Bukiri Police Post in Ageng’o location, Samia Sub-County arrested the woman on Tuesday.
It has emerged that the suspect left her home in Samia six months ago. Relatives and neighbours were surprised to see her with a baby as they had no knowledge of her pregnancy.
According to the police report, the area assistant chief and officers detained the suspect on Tuesday after community members reported that Jacinta was not pregnant but had returned home with a child.
Elphus Maira, village elder at Kitale Section 6, where the baby was stolen, warned mothers not to fall prey to con artists who offer suspicious opportunities.
“This lady had promised teenage mothers here some good opportunities in Nairobi and abroad and that is how she managed to do her evil things. We are thankful to police officers for the swift action and rescue of the baby,” noted Mr Maira.
