Why did Junior have to die?

The children’s department has gone to court to block the burial of a two year old baby whose death has raised suspicion of abuse.

Walter Odera Odhiambo Junior died of internal bleeding on Tuesday last week. Two hospitals had raised questions about the nature of his injuries prompting the children’s department to get involved.

According to a report tabled in court by the Children’s Affairs and Social Development Department, the child was first treated at Nairobi Hospital and discharged. But he was taken back to hospital with pus oozing from his ears.

The explanation given by those who cared for him was that the child scratched himself. But when questioned by doctors, the woman said Walter was hurt when a man slipped and fell with him as they left the bathroom.

This explanation, the report says, was found to be suspicious. Upon further interrogation the woman said a house help may have injured the child. Ms Esther Githinji, the officer who compiled the report, said the child might have been abused.

Ms Githinji visited Mater Hospital, where the baby was admitted, after receiving calls from the director of nursing. The doctors who attended to the baby raised concerns about the severity of the injuries.

Walter was to be buried on February 26, but the ceremony was stopped by a court after the State requested investigations into the matter.

Post-mortem

The pathologist had not presented his report in court by Thursday and was expected to do so when the case comes up for mention on Friday. The postmortem report by a government pathologist indicates that the baby died from internal bleeding due to head injury caused by blunt force.

Police sources at the Industrial Area police station said they were considering charges arising from the death. “We want to take the matter to court once we have concrete evidence,” said Embakasi police commander David Bunei.

Additional reporting by Fred Mukinda