Police launch investigations into baby’s death

Homa Bay,

Sunday November 19, 2023

KNA by Davis Langat

Police in Homa Bay county have launched investigations into the death of a baby boy who died in a kitchen accident in Ndhiwa Sub county.

South East Kabuoch location Assistant Chief Benson Adongo said preliminary investigations revealed that the boy died following severe burns, when he accidentally fell off from her mother's arms into boiling porridge.

Adongo said that the accident happened following an altercation between the mother and a section of members of a women group over a debt.

The baby identified as Sheldon Chechil died in Koduol B Village, South East Kabuoch Sub-location in Ndhiwa Sub-county.

The Chief said trouble started when members of the group arrived in the house of the boy's mother Saturday afternoon demanding payment of Sh1000 debt she owed the group.

But the mother identified as Sharon Auma did not have the money, leading to a violent confrontation between her and the group members.

Auma explained that she had borrowed a loan of Sh2500 from the group, but she had so far repaid Sh1500.

However, the group members piled pressure on her to repay the balance Sh1000 and in the process a violent confrontation erupted.

It was during the violence that Auma claimed two women pushed her, making baby she was carrying to fall into the boiling porridge.

“I was carrying my child during the confrontation. Two of them pushed me. I then lost balance and the child fell in the porridge,” Auma said.

Adongo said the boy died as he was being taken to Homa Bay County Referral Hospital.

"l have liaised with police and we are rounding up suspects and witnesses to assist with investigations,"Adongo said.

The chief urged residents to avoid taking the law into their hands, adding that it’s illegal to confiscate someone’s property or cause violence over a debt.

The body of the baby was moved to Manyatta Kobodo mortuary.

Courtesy;KNA