Police in Igembe South in Meru County are holding a 30-year-old man who is suspected to have killed his child to pave the way for marrying a new girlfriend.
The suspect, John Gentu, is held at Maua police cells for allegedly killing his one-year-old son claiming his new woman was not comfortable continuing with the marriage when there was a baby from another relationship.
According to Athi area Chief Gerund Kalunge who rushed to the scene where the body of the minor was recovered dumped at River Githii, the suspect suffocated the baby to death using a rope.
The administrator said the mother of the culprit only known as Njeri reported that her son was in a troubled relationship with his wife that led to their separation a few months ago.
Njeri added that the mother of the deceased visited their home on Monday and dumped the baby after getting reports that her estranged husband wanted to re-marry.
“ The mother (Njeri) to the suspect told us that after the mother left the baby she took custodian but three days later, the father Gentu, took the baby and said he wanted to spend the night with him in his house but in the morning they found the house was locked and the baby was not present,” the area chief reported.
The chief further explained that Njeri tried to reach out to her son but his phone went unanswered. Gentu’s estranged wife also denied having the baby.
However, Chief Kalunge later received a distress call from the members of the public who reported that there was a body of a young baby floating in the river.
The body was retrieved and the baby’s grandmother positively identified it. The body has since been moved to Nyambene Level Four Hospital mortuary.
Condemning the incident, the chief said it was unfortunate for the innocent baby to have died in such a cruel manner.
“Why kill an innocent child just because you have domestic issues with your girlfriend or wife? This is so inhuman that I am calling on the law to take its course and ensure justice prevails,” Kalunge insisted.