Quick action by police officers in Bungoma town averted an ugly scene after angry residents attempted to burn down a clinic following the death of a Standard Eight pupil suspected to have procured abortion at the facility.
Wananchi surrounded the facility immediately word went round that a pupil from Lubunda Primary School had succumbed to complications after the doctor allegedly attempted to procure an abortion.
They were in the process of dousing the facility with petrol when anti-riot police officers arrived and rescued the terrified medical practitioner who residents accused of being behind frequent cases of abortions.
Police took the girl’s body to Bungoma County Hospital mortuary as the doctor was also arrested and locked up at the Bungoma Police Station.
“We have arrested the doctor and now we will take him to court. Wananchi should be patient,” said Bungoma County Police Commandant Charles Munyoli.
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Anti-riot police arrived just as the crowd was breaking the last door leading to the room in which the doctor had taken refuge with the mother of the girl and restored an uneasy calm.
Witnesses said the girl arrived at the facility with her mother and proceeded inside only for the woman to emerge about two hours later screaming that her daughter had died.
“We rushed inside immediately and found the lifeless body of the girl on an operation table as the doctor watched helplessly. From a close observation, the girl had bled profusely leading to her death,’’ said a bicycle taxi operator.
More drama erupted after the girl’s father arrived and started chasing his wife around, accusing her of causing the death of his daughter.
“They left home without informing me where they were headed and I thought they were visiting a relative because that’s what they do each weekend. Little did I know that was the last time I will be seeing my favourite child!’’ mourned the man.
