Mother who killed baby, attempted suicide surrenders to police

The homestead of Gladys Korir, who allegedly killed her two-month-old baby girl after a quarrel with her husband. [Mercy Kahenda]

A 41-year-old woman who allegedly killed her two months old baby and attempted to hang herself in Weseges, Subukia Sub County has surrendered to the police.

Subukia sub-county police commander Edward Imbwaga has said Gladys Korir who surrendered this morning is being interrogated.

"The mother who went missing after allegedly killing her two months old baby is being interrogated," Imbwaga has said.

Gladys Korir is suspected to have hit baby Iyvene Cherono with a blunt object after a quarrel with her husband on Sunday night. 

Subukia sub-county police commander Samuel Imbwaga said Ms Korir went into hiding after the incident. He nonetheless confirmed that "police are holding her husband, William Korir to help in the probe."

Sources say Mr Korir got back home drunk at around 9pm on the Sunday night before quarreling with his wife. He would later, at 1am Monday, raise alarm on his child's death.

Lilian Terer a neighbour attested that after the crime, Ms Korir tried to commit suicide by hanging on a tree branch, but her plan was disrupted by neighbours who moved to the homestead.

“We saw mother to the baby holding a rope she had planned to hang herself with, but she went into hiding to avoid being arrested,” said Ms Terer.

Chairman of Nyumba kumi Sammy Ng'eno said villagers heard commotion from the homestead on the night, accompanied by cries for help.

At around 1am, Mr Korir is said to have knocked on the doors of several villagers' houses claiming his wife had killed their last born child.

"He did not, however, disclose reason to why Gladys had killed the said child," said Ng'eno. " He was just crying."

The couple manufacture and sell illicit brew for a living, a factor locals believe contributed to the crime. The couple has nine other children aged between one and 13.