4 Children Rescued as Police Arrest 62-Year-Old Man Over Suspected Trafficking, Defilement

Police in Kajiado County have arrested a 62-year-old man over suspected child trafficking and defilement after rescuing four children from a bedsitter in Korompoi Trading Centre, Isinya.

In a statement on Friday, October 9, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the arrest followed intelligence that led officers to the room, where they found the suspect in the company of the four children.

"Police officers in Kajiado County have arrested a 62-year-old man over suspected child trafficking and defilement, after intelligence led officers to a bedsitter in Korompoi Trading Centre, Isinya," the statement read.

The suspect was identified as Enock Peterson Mwangi, alias Mwamburi Mwandeme; he was found with four children aged 17, 16, five and one year and four months.

The discovery prompted detectives to investigate how the children ended up in the suspect's custody, with officers subsequently searching a house associated with him in Mashuuru Township.

"The discovery immediately triggered deeper investigations into the circumstances under which the children came to be in his custody.

"A subsequent search of a house associated with the suspect in Mashuuru Township yielded a cache of items that have raised further questions," the statement added.

According to the DCI, detectives recovered several bags containing children's clothes of different sizes and for both sexes, ranging from newborn to teenage wear.

The items also included baby shawls, blankets, a baby carrier and baby shoes of different sizes. Officers further found several adult male clothes, ranging from size 34 to 54, neatly arranged on clothes hangers.

The search also uncovered six mattresses, empty diaper carrier bags, duvets, pillows and assorted foodstuffs, among other items.

Investigators are examining the recovered items as they seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the children's presence with the suspect and determine whether any offences were committed.

"The suspect has since been placed in custody as detectives work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the children’s presence with him," the statement further read.

The four children have been placed under appropriate care and protection and are expected to undergo medical examinations as detectives gather evidence to advance the investigations.

Elsewhere, police officers from Dandora Police Station in Nairobi arrested a 32-year-old woman after she was allegedly caught by neighbours subjecting her 8-year-old daughter to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) using a surgical blade.

In a statement on Thursday, October 8, the DCI said the incident occurred at Dandora Phase 2 Estate after neighbours raised the alarm and confronted the suspect, identified as Frolence Ngendo Nyambura, as she allegedly carried out the act on the minor.

Police, accompanied by the Sub-County Children Officer, responded to the scene after receiving the alert and found the suspect had already been restrained by members of the public.

"Police officers, accompanied by the Sub-County Children Officer, swiftly responded to the scene and confirmed the incident. The suspect, who had been restrained by members of the public, was handed over to the police," the statement read.

The 8-year-old girl was found traumatised after she had already undergone the mutilation, prompting officers and child protection officials to arrange for her to receive urgent medical care.

"The traumatised minor, who had already undergone the mutilation, was immediately rescued and rushed to Dandora Phase 3 Health Centre, where she received medical attention and was later discharged in stable condition," the statement added.

After her discharge from the health facility, the minor was placed in a safe home to facilitate her recovery and ensure her continued protection.