Court told how Kayole traffickers stole babies

From left, Ms Sera Ambiyo Matukho, Ms Peninah Kerubo Anasi and Mr Dickson Maina Ngari in a Nairobi court, where they were charged with child trafficking. PHOTO | CORRESPONDENT

A Nairobi court was on Thursday told how a child-trafficking syndicate in Kayole estate lied to mothers in order to acquire new babies for sale.

Prosecutor Noah Chemweno said a clinic owner, Ms Sera Ambiyo Matukho, lied to a woman that her newborn baby had died during delivery.

The prosecutor said that on April 3, Ms Ambiyo helped Ms Mourine Mwanahamisi to deliver but deceived her that the child died during delivery.

He said the scheme was designed “for the purpose of exploitation” and onward trafficking of the child.

Ms Ambiyo is accused of human trafficking and has been ordered to deposit a bond of Sh10 million or a cash bail of Sh5 million to secure her freedom.

She appeared in court alongside Ms Hellen Mutile Peter, Ms Judu Wairimu Ngigi, Mr Dickson Maina Ngari, Mr Peninah Kerubo Anasi and Ms Lilian Wanjiru, who were equally ordered to deposit similar bonds pending the hearing of their case on September 9.

'PURPORTED ADOPTION'

They are charged with offering a two-week-old baby girl for sale on July 8 at a clinic in Soweto village in Nairobi’s Kayole estate “for the purposes of a purported adoption.”

Ms Ambiyo, the prosecution said, was a quack who practiced medicine illegally and operated an unlicensed maternity ward in the Kayole.

The prosecutor said Ms Ambiyo does not have a licence from the Medical Practitioners and Dentists board.

Ms Ambiyo and Ms Anasi faced a further charge of practicing medicine without being registered by the board.

The prosecution last week requested that the suspects be detained over pending investigations but on Thursday told the court the police had completed a DNA profiling of the baby.

Four witness are listed to testify in the case.