NYAHURURU, Kenya, Aug 8 – A woman who was being sought over the weekend by police in Nyandarua for stealing a child was on Monday jailed for two years on her own plea of guilty.
Miriam Wangui admitted stealing a six-week-old baby at Karai trading centre when she appeared before Nyahururu Resident magistrate Caroline Ombara.
The prosecution led by Inspector Paul Omweri said the child’s mother had placed him in a carton as her hair was being plaited at a salon at Karai trading centre in Nyandarua North district.
Mr Omweri said the baby started crying and Ms Wangui decided to pick him up. She then claimed that her phone was being charged at a different place and wanted to go for it. She went and never returned.
The suspect was traced on Sunday at Mweiga area of Nyeri county where she was arrested and taken to Ndaragwa police station.
Delivering her judgement, the magistrate noted that the offense was very serious and a stiff sentence was essential to deter other would-be offenders.