9-month-old hospitalised after defilement in Busia

Cup pressure peaks as Shabana host Kenya Police in blockbuster quarter-final Football

Upper Hill coach Walgwe unperturbed despite drawing giants in Prescott Cup group phase Rugby

A nine-month-old baby girl from Muyala Village in Matayos constituency, Busia county, is undergoing specialised treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret after she was allegedly defiled by a suspected 23-year-old person.

The incident occurred in Khuyala village, where the child’s 18-year-old mother works as a saleslady at a chang’aa den.

The suspect, who had reportedly arrived at the premises a day earlier as a saleslady, is currently being held at Busia Central Police Station as investigations continue.

Narrating the ordeal, the victim’s mother said the incident happened while she was attending to customers at her workplace. She explained that she had taken her baby to sleep in one of the bedrooms within the premises, believing the child would be safe as she continued working.

“I took my child to sleep in the bedroom, then went back to continue with my work. After a short while, I heard my baby crying unusually. It was not a normal cry, so I became worried and rushed to the room,” she said.

On entering the room, she found the suspect lying on the same bed as the baby.

“I found the lady on the bed and she had covered my child with a blanket. When I asked her what was happening, she told me everything was fine and that the baby was just sleeping,” she recounted.

Still uneasy, she uncovered her baby and made a shocking discovery.

“When I removed the blanket, I noticed blood and urine flowing from my child. I was confused and terrified. I did not know what to do. I immediately picked up my baby and ran to a nearby clinic for help,” she said.

At the clinic, medical personnel examined the child and quickly referred her to Matayos Subcounty Hospital due to the severity of the injuries. From there, she was referred to Busia County Referral Hospital and advised to first report the matter to the police.

Doctors at Busia County Referral Hospital later referred the infant to MTRH in Eldoret for specialised treatment after an assessment revealed severe injuries.

Busia county gynaecologist Dr Janerose Ambuchi confirmed that the child sustained severe injuries.

“The child is under gynaecological care and is being managed by a fistula specialist. She developed a rectovaginal fistula, where stool passes through the private part. This is a very serious condition, especially for such a young child,” said Ambuchi.

She revealed that defilement cases in the county remain alarmingly high. In 2025, Busia recorded 42 female and four male cases among children aged 0–9 years, and 574 female and 25 male cases among those aged 10–17 years.

“From January to February this year alone, five cases have already been reported at referral hospitals. Many cases are still handled within communities and go unreported, which puts children at even greater risk,” she said.

She further called on members of the public to take the initiative in reporting these cases so that perpetrators face the law.

“We want our law enforcers to do further investigations so that those who defile children are thoroughly punished. Let’s all collaborate to handle this menace, which is harming the future generation.”

Deputy Medical Superintendent at Busia County Referral Hospital Sylvano Katai expressed concern over the increasing number of sexual abuse cases.

“This abuse leaves victims with severe physical injuries, emotional trauma, and long-term psychosocial challenges. Parents, religious institutions, and law enforcers must work together to guarantee children’s safety and ensure offenders are punished according to the law,” Katai said.

He assured the public that the hospital remains committed to providing necessary medical care and documentation to support investigations and prosecution of such cases.

Busia county commissioner Stephen Orinde condemned the incident, warning perpetrators that such heinous acts will not be condoned.