Second suspect in Baby Sagini incident arrested

A second suspect, Pacifica Nyakerario has been arrested and will face charges of causing grievous harm to Baby Sagini whose eyes were gouged out a week ago in Ikuruma village.

Nyakerario is being treated as the main suspect in the matter. She was arrested by sleuths from Kasarani Police station in Nairobi on Monday.

Police say the suspect is linked to the incident alongside her son Alex Ochogo who appeared in court on Monday and was later detained at Rioma Police station pending further investigations.

Nyakerario appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Christine Ogweno who ordered that she be held at Rioma Police station.

Prosecutor Hillary Kaino told the court that police could take four days to conclude their investigations.

"The matter is related to that of Alex Ochogo. The two are linked to the incident. Our theories are that they had common intention."

Nyakerario and Ochogo who are mother and son will appear in court on December 23 for plea-taking and mention of the matter.

While appearing in court yesterday, Nyakerario cried all through the court session even as she requested that the court proceedings be done in Ekegusii.

The court clerk had to translate the proceedings as the suspect agreed to the Director of Public Prosecution's request to the court that she be detained for four days pending further investigations.

Three-year-old Baby Sagini was found dumped at his family's banana plantation on Thursday with his face covered with blood after being kidnapped on Wednesday evening.

He was rushed to the Kisii Eye Hospital where he is recuperating after a surgical procedure. He is set to be discharged today to safe custody of Jogoo Children's Home in Kisii. His elder sister was also rescued yesterday by the children's department.

Police are also looking into claims by a Community Based Organisation that the minor had severally been defiled by a close family member.

Esnas Nyaramba, a civil rights crusader called on the Government to protect children during the long holidays.

"We need community engagement forums in Marani to enlighten families on basic human rights protection. The area is becoming notorious for all forms of injustices; be it lynching of the elderly, defilement and illicit brew. We plead for justice to be served on Baby Sagini."

Nominated Senator Essy Okenyuri called on residents around Marani area to uphold human rights. "The cases from the area are alarming. We need to carry out community engagements and sensitisation on respecting basic human rights."

Yesterday former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko said he had contacted some hospitals in China to help with implants before fitting the boy with prosthetic eyes that will look and move more like normal eyes but will not restore vision.

"We will forward reports from two different hospitals after which we shall team up and coordinate with leaders from Kisii and fly Baby Sagini to C-MER (Shenzhen) Dennis Lam Eye Hospital in South China for implants."

Area MP Japheth Nyakundi said Baby Sagini will be taken to Nairobi to start the process of making sure the minor gets help.

On Monday, Kisii Woman Rep Dorice Donya met Aisha Jumwa, CS Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action at her office in Nairobi and presented the urgent predicament of the three-year-old boy.

"The CS assured us that the Ministry will take up the matter to see the minor and his sister are brought to a rehabilitation centre in Nairobi for urgent medication and care as we expedite plans to have our Kisii County Rescue centre active," said Donya.