Search intensifies for teacher who threw five-month-old baby in fire

Police in Baringo County have intensified the search for a primary school head teacher who fled after allegedly throwing a five-month-old baby to a fire.

Speaking to The Standard on Monday, Baringo North Sub-county Police Commander Fredrick Odinga said the search had been extended to the neighbouring counties of Nakuru and Uasin Gishu.

“We raided the house alongside the area assistant chief on Saturday, but he was nowhere to be seen. He will run but will not hide for long,” Odinga said.

The suspect’s wife and mother of the baby recorded a statement with the police on Friday, as the child is still receiving treatment at the Baringo County Hospital.

The police have urged residents who may have information on the suspect’s whereabouts to share it with them.

It is alleged that on April 25, the suspect threw his son, who is barely a year old, in an open fire after a disagreement with the wife over the child’s paternity.

The teacher is said to have accused the wife of siring the child out of marriage.

Area assistant chief Sam Kamuren told The Standard that he had advised the suspect to surrender himself to the authorities.

Further, he noted that the couple had been experiencing marital problems prior to the incident.

"I advocate for justice, and strongly condemn the incident, but again, I have received conflicting information that needs to be investigated to determine what really happened," Kamuren said.

The baby is currently recuperating at the hospital where doctors are treating him for burns.