Daycare owner detained for 14 days over alleged child pornography

Teresia Wambui Kihagi, who has runs Apple Daycare in Wangige Market, has been detained for 14 days pending investigations into shocking allegations of child pornography.

The incident involved more than 10 children aged between two and four.

An affidavit filed in court by DCI detectives states that Wambui was arrested on September 30, 2024, after photos and videos of the alleged offence were found on her phone by residents of Wangige.

On Wednesday, Police arraigned Wambui before Kikuyu Law Courts seeking more time to detain her to complete investigations into the offence of indecent act with a child contrary to section 11 (1) of the Sexual Offences Act No. 3 of 2006 of child pornography.

While seeking custodial orders, the investigators led by Nicodemus Musembi informed the court that Wambui has allegedly been engaging the children in sexual activities.

They claimed that she did this by touching their private parts while recording videos in the said daycare.

"The daycare was operating with more than 10 children (minors) who are all believed to be victims of the heinous act and have all been taken to different health facilities for assistance," Musembi told the court.

"We are working closely with child protection services to ensure that all children affected receive the necessary support and care. Their safety is our top priority pending the ongoing investigations into the matter," he added.

The officer said they confiscated Wambui's mobile phone as she was attempting to crush it to destroy clips that are yet to be removed and processed for use as evidence.

"The evidence collected from her phone, along with testimonies from parents and children, has been instrumental in building our case against her," Musembi said

The officer told court that Wambui's mobile numbers are yet to be investigated to establish the recipient and or consumer of the content and the Paybill account she uses for the daycare.

The court heard that some of the guardians of the children (the mothers) are disturbed, and an intermediary is being sought to help record their statements as their children seek medical assistance in hospital.

The officer also urged the court to deny Wambui bail for the sake of her security after she rescued from a mob that wanted to lynch her.

"Teresia is yet to be interrogated and has been instructed to provide her statement. We also seek that she be escorted to a psychiatric facility for a mental assessment before being charged," Musembi said.

The officer said some key witnesses who were first responders at the scene (daycare) during her arrest are yet to record statements, and others have not provided their medical examination reports.

The detectives told court Wambui is a flight risk since she has not disclosed any known residence.

Kikuyu Magistrate Lillian Kwamboka allowed DCI detectives to continue holding Teresia for 14 days to complete investigations.

"I have taken into consideration the grounds of the application and the nature of the offence, and it is merited. I hereby allow 14 days for the investigations, and the matter will be mentioned on October 17, 2024 for further directions," she said.

It is alleged that late last month Wambui lost her phone before a resident in Wangige found it and was horrified to discover photos and videos of children at the daycare in compromising position.

This shocking revelation sent shockwaves through Wangige Market on Monday, prompting police to rescue her from the angry residents.