A disturbing case of child abandonment has emerged in Rongo, Migori County, where a one-month-old infant was found abandoned near Chamgiwadu Trading Centre on Sunday. The incident has shocked local residents and drawn attention to the growing concern of child neglect in the region.
According to George Oloo, a village elder in the area, the baby was discovered by concerned residents who heard the child’s cries just a few meters from a nearby house. The infant had been left alone and vulnerable in a bushy area near a footpath, only a short distance from the homestead.
“The woman came alone with the baby and quietly left him just a few metres from the house before disappearing,” said Oloo. “Thanks to alert members of the community, we managed to rescue the child before anything worse could happen.”
Preliminary reports indicate that the mother had previously separated from the child’s father due to ongoing marital problems. It is believed that she traveled to the area with the intention of leaving the baby near the father’s residence without informing him or anyone else of her actions.
Following the discovery, local authorities and members of the public launched a quick response. Both the mother and father were tracked down and arrested, and they were subsequently handed over to police officers at the Chamgiwadu Police Post for questioning.
Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing, but initial findings point to a joint act of child abandonment. The couple is expected to face criminal charges in court related to child neglect and endangerment under Kenyan law.
Community members expressed outrage over the incident, calling it both heartbreaking and unacceptable. Many questioned how a parent could leave a newborn in such a dangerous and exposed environment, especially given the baby’s age and vulnerability.
Local leaders and children’s rights advocates are urging the government and child welfare organizations to step in, not only to ensure the infant’s safety and proper care, but also to educate parents on the legal and moral responsibilities of raising children.
Authorities have taken the baby into protective custody as efforts are made to find a safer, long-term solution. The Department of Children Services is expected to be involved in the next steps, including placing the child in a shelter or foster care while the legal case proceeds.
As the story continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the struggles some families face — and the importance of strengthening support systems for vulnerable children and parents in crisis.
