Makueni woman held over bid to sell her baby

A 20-year-old woman has been arrested in Mlolongo while attempting to sell a four-day-old baby.

The woman, from Makueni County, who gave birth recently, was arrested following a tip-off.

According to Athi River police boss Catherine Ringera, detectives received information that a woman was selling her baby and had been hiding it at a  lodging for four days.

"My officers struck a deal with the woman who was selling the baby at Sh30,000,’’ said Mr Ringera.

Speaking to The Standard yesterday, Ringera said undercover police officers pretending to be 'interested buyers' first bought clothes for the baby and also carried the money.

Upon arrest, the suspect told police that poverty and lack of food led her to sell the baby.

She said that she had nothing to offer the newborn and could not watch as her child suffered from hunger.

Police, however, dismissed her arguments, saying the suspect was arrested together with two other women who are said to be part of a child trafficking racket.

"We can say this is good start because since last year we had been trying to get a lead on this racket without success, at least now we know where to start,’’ said Ringera.