Residents of Ndaba village in Mathiga-ini sub-location, Kirinyaga County, were left in disbelief on Thursday night after a newborn baby girl was found abandoned in a bush near Ndaba Primary School. The infant, believed to be only a few hours old, was discovered by concerned locals after they heard her persistent cries in the dark.
Sicily Maina, a resident, recounted the emotional moment the community stumbled upon the child. “We heard a baby crying and rushed to find her lying in the bush. It was heartbreaking,” she said. The baby was wrapped in a piece of cloth, with no trace of her mother nearby.
Francis Muriithi, another villager, said he immediately informed the village elder, Robert Munyao, who alerted the area assistant chief of Mathiga-ini. “She is so beautiful. I wonder why the mother decided to dump her here. This is the first time such an incident has happened in Ndaba village,” Muriithi remarked, reflecting the shock and concern of the community.
The newborn was swiftly taken to Kangai Police Station before being transferred to Kerugoya County Referral Hospital for medical evaluation and care. Hospital officials confirmed that the baby was in stable condition and receiving the necessary attention.
Police have launched investigations to trace the mother, who is yet to be identified. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in the ongoing probe. “We are treating this as a serious matter. Abandoning a child is not only dangerous but also illegal,” said a police officer involved in the case.
The incident has sparked mixed emotions in the community, ranging from sadness to anger, as many questioned what could have driven the mother to abandon her child in such a vulnerable state.
Social services have also been engaged to ensure the baby’s safety and future well-being. Meanwhile, local leaders and residents have vowed to support the child, who has already captured the hearts of many in Ndaba village.
As investigations continue, the community hopes for justice and that the mother will be found and assisted if she was facing personal challenges.
