Father from hell: Headteacher throws baby into fire after paternity row with wife

According to the baby's mother, her husband had accused her of having the baby outside their marriage. [Yvonne Chepkwony, Standard]

Police are yet to arrest a primary school headteacher in Baringo County who threw his five-month-old baby into the fire at Ngaratuko village last Sunday.

Baringo North Sub-county Police Commander Fredrick Odinga said that the man, who is a headteacher, allegedly had an argument with the baby’s mother before the attack.

“We received information about the attack and we are yet to make an arrest,” Odinga said, adding that the baby is admitted at Baringo County Hospital with severe burns.

According to the baby's mother, her husband had accused her of siring the baby outside their marriage. “My husband who I have been married to since 2002, believed that the child was not his.”

She said soon after giving birth to the child, she was banished from her matrimonial home and forced to seek refuge at an external kitchen where the attack happened.

“My husband told me that none of us (my children and I) will not live because the last born son is not his blood.” 

Ann Kipyegon, mother to a five-year-old baby who was thrown into the fire after paternity row, in hospital, Baringo North. [Yvonne Chepkwony, Standard]

As she went to the main house to fetch utensils so that she could serve the husband with a meal, she heard her baby scream.

“I rushed back into the kitchen, forced the door open only to find the baby in the fire. My husband was armed with a panga as watched as the baby burn,” she said. “I fought my way into the kitchen to rescue the baby from the fire. He sustained facial injuries.” 

After rescuing him, the mother says she went to report the incident to the assistant chief who only ordered the man to ensure that the child receives treatment.

The baby was taken to the hospital on Monday where an officer from the children's department, Irene Chepkwony, reported the incident to the police.

Ms Chepkwony vowed to ensure that the minor gets justice, saying the assistant chief erred by not arresting the man.

"I have visited the minor. It is unfortunate that a father trusted to take care of children turns against his own child," Chepkwony said.

She challenged parents not to vent their frustrations on innocent children, adding that the issue of paternity can be addressed through a DNA test.