This archive report was first published on 4 September 2019.
Published on September 4, 2019, a dramatic scene unfolded at the Kitiri assistant chief's office in Kinangop Constituency when two minors were left at the administrator's doorstep.
The two girls, aged seven and two, were abandoned by their mother who had eloped with her lover, a criminal wanted by the police in connection with livestock thefts, in Kiambu County.
Residents of the area had previously complained about the mother's mistreatment and neglect of her children, with some even reporting incidents of physical abuse.
Esther Wambui, a resident, recalled an incident where the mother had fractured one of the minors' hands, which was reported to the assistant chief but resulted in the mother's release a few hours later.
"When she once fractured the hand of one of the minors, we reported the incident to the assistant chief who arrested but released her a few hours later. The minors live in deplorable condition; she does not feed them. We are tired of feeding, clothing and cleaning her children," said Esther Wambui.
Residents claimed that the mother had a history of attracting male customers and bar owners, who would often welcome her in their establishments despite a previous agreement to prevent her from working in bars to force her to take care of her children.
Kitiri location Chief Rahab Kiiru described the mother as a habitual and notorious drunkard, who had been arrested several times for child neglect.
"We even arrested her on Monday for getting her daughter out of school. She pleaded for mercy and promised to reform. We were not aware that she was planning to escape," said Chief Kiiru.
The chief's office has placed the minors in safe custody as police trace the errant mother.
