'Sick mother' hospitalised after she attempted to strangle her one-month old son

By Renson Mnyamwezi

Taita-Taveta, Kenya: Villagers of Shigharo village have rescued a one-month old boy from being strangled by his mother in Taita-Taveta County.

Children’s Department and Ministry of Health officials said Thursday that they suspect the woman is suffering from post delivery psychosis.

The woman (name withheld) is admitted at Wesu District Hospital for medical examination, the officials said.

Taita Sub-County Children’s Officer Lina Sitati said the government has committed the child to the Catholic sponsored St Joseph’s Children’s Home, Bura in Mwatate district for protection purposes.

“The woman wanted to kill her son and villagers escorted her to the police station where she was handed over to the children’s department,” she said.

Speaking at Wundanyi Police Station, the Children’s Officer said villagers arrested the 21-year-old woman for allegedly attempting to kill her son.

‘’The suspect was later taken to the hospital for medication’’, Ms Sitati added.

“We will reunite the mother to the child once she stabilizes from post delivery neurosis. As part of the process, the mother will be allowed to visit her son twice a month,” she said.

“The woman gave birth outside wedlock and we are still looking for the baby’s father,” she added.

Sitati pointed out that the woman is currently unstable and cannot effectively take care of her child.

 “Medical personnel at the hospital have told me that the woman is likely to be stable in the next three months,” she said.

The woman's sister disclosed that she has been unstable since she gave birth.

“My sister has not been suffering from any mental illness. Her health condition changed after she gave birth,” noted the woman.