Police in Nairobi are detaining a middle-aged woman accused of trying to steal a newborn baby at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) on Thursday.
Armed with an antenatal booklet, Elizabeth Musembi arrived at the hospital posing as a heavily expectant woman who was about to go into labor.
Security guards at the facility became suspicious and alerted police of a woman who was trying to pass herself off as a maternity patient.
It was later discovered that the suspect had stuffed pieces of clothes on her stomach for it to appear like she was pregnant and get admitted into the labor ward at KNH.
Police believe her plan was to get into the maternity ward and steal a baby.
“Information had been leaked to us and we indeed confirmed that that is not a genuine pregnancy,” Kilimani OCPD, Andrew Mbogo said.
“We strongly believe she would have left the hospital facility with a child not her own,” he added
In her defense, Elizabeth said she took the step in a desperate attempt to get a child after years of unsuccessfully trying to conceive.
The suspect claimed that she went to the hospital to enquire whether she could be given an abandoned baby to take care of but police believe otherwise.
“Mimi naskianga Kenyatta ina watu ambao wanapata watoto na wanawaacha,” she told the media.
She said the antenatal clinic papers she was carrying were given to her by a woman who had promised to deliver a baby she did not want and hand it over to her.
“Niko na shida ya kupata mtoto…nilizungumza na mama fulani aliniambia atanizalia,” she added.
Elizabeth will be arraigned in court on Monday to face charges of conspiracy to effect unlawful purpose contrary to section 395 (f) of the Penal Code.
If the judge could exercise…
If the judge could exercise some discretion , the women should not be jailed. She was driven by the motherly desire only women can understand,I guess.Not condoning her actions,but thank whomever you pray to that she did not steal someone’s child.
She should be sent to intense counseling ,and also be given options of legally mothering achild not from your own womb…Let her spread that love to children she has to other child(ren).Society is better served that way.There are many unloved children out there…And yes had she stolen achild,Iwould not be recommending mercy for her.My two cents.
Two things here.
This might…
Two things here.
This might be part and puzzle of how children are being stolen in public hospital and sold for a profit..or..
All of us understand the pain and humiliation that goes with a woman not being able to have children.
I’m not condoning her behavior,there are laws regarding adoption.
I wish someone advised…
I wish someone advised Musembi to raise her hand in court and ask the magistrate to acquit her as the said charges were defective.There is no offense like TRYING TO STEAL A NEWBORN BABY-WHICH BABY?.Useless/idle/senseless policemen led by Buffalo(Mbogo) & Co should be transferred to Laikipia immediately where their services are needed most instead of chasing women like Musembi.