This archive report was first published on 9 June 2020.
On June 9, 2020, a remarkable scene unfolded at the Tigoni Police Station in Limuru, Kenya, where a woman, Ann Wanjiru, gave birth to a healthy baby girl in a police cell.
Wanjiru, a resident of Murengeti, had been remanded at the station due to coronavirus fears, which prevented her from being transferred to the Lang'ata Women's Prison.
According to Fridah Mwema, a gender officer at the station, Wanjiru was being taken for regular clinics at the nearby Tigoni Level 4 Hospital by Officer Commanding Police Station John Misoi and Mwema herself.
On the day of the delivery, the officer on duty found Wanjiru in labor and quickly informed the OCS, who called Mwema. Wanjiru was then moved to a clean room.
"It was around 7pm and we were caught flat-footed," Mwema said. "Wanjiru gave birth to a bouncing baby girl in our presence."
Mwema went to her house and got blankets for Wanjiru, while some officers brought baby shawls for the newborn. Misoi gave her two blankets.
Wanjiru and her baby were then taken to the Limuru Health Centre, where the nurses checked them and gave them a clean bill of health.
They were later taken back to the police station, where the OCS had secured a room for them. Misoi then liaised with the court to have Wanjiru freed on a personal bond.
"I then organised for them to be taken home," Misoi said.
Wanjiru's husband, George Ndungu, said the family has been pleading with her accuser to withdraw the case.
