Mother who sold own child for Sh14,000 arrested in Kisii

A mother accused of selling her seven-year-old son for Sh14,000 to a woman in Kisii has been arrested.

Irene Kemunto, the mother of the child trafficked from Elementaita in Nakuru County, was arrested at Nyansiongo alongside another woman who was identified as Ziporah Nyabate. 

Nyabate had allegedly bought the minor for Sh13,800 and was arrested at her home in Kisii Town where the child was found. The duo allegedly committed the crime between June 10 and 19, this year.

According to Nyamira County Commissioner Amos Mariba, Kemunto’s mother had reported the disappearance of her grandson at Elementaita police station and the matter booked under OB number 18/06/2020.

When she was arrested, Nyabate told police that she had legitimately acquired custody of the child.

It could not be immediately established why Kemunto decided to sell her son. Police are still investigating the matter before charges can be preferred against her.

"Currently, the two suspects are in police custody as they await charges to be opened against them," Mariba said.

In February this year, a 23-year-old woman was arrested in Migori Town after she went public that she was selling her two daughters to raise Sh400,000.

The woman said she wanted the money to buy land and raise her two other children after she differed with her husband.

Four years ago, another woman also in Migori, was arrested as she tried to auction her newborn baby, saying she needed money to feed her other children.