This archive report was first published on 8 July 2021.
On Thursday, July 8, 2021, a newborn baby boy was found alive in an 80-foot deep pit latrine in Kathitî village, Mutira ward, Kirinyaga Central Sub County.
The infant was discovered by a woman who had gone to relieve herself in the latrine, and it is suspected that the baby's mother had dumped him there before fleeing.
According to Kirinyaga County Fire Department Director John Kiama, the team was alerted to the incident at around 9am and rushed to the scene to save the baby's life.
"When a worker went to the toilet, she heard a baby crying and without hesitation informed the owner of the farm identified as Njue and when he confirmed that there was a baby in the pit, he informed us of the incident without any hesitation," Kiama said.
Once at the scene, Kiama's team removed the concrete floor covering the pit and completed the rescue operation in less than 30 minutes.
The newborn is now receiving treatment at the Kerugoya Level 4 hospital.
A manhunt has been launched to find the suspect, and once arrested, she will face the full force of the law, according to Kirinyaga Central Subcounty Police Commander Johnstone Mwarigha.
