In Machakos, Mlolongo, police have arrested an 18 –year old woman who was allegedly part of a local child theft gang in connection with the abduction of three children. Miriam Wesonga was arrested in March after a resident saw her trying to run away with a stolen child.
Residents took her to the chief’s office for questioning where she admitted to be part of a child abduction gang that stole children and sold them Ksh.50000. The two-year-old boy that Miriam was seen with was later found in Kakamega County. Miriam, who allegedly worked with two accomplices, said she received Sh50,000 for handing over the child to her client.
In a brief media interview after her arrest in Mlolongo, Miriam narrated the events that led to her arrest. She confessed that she stole the child and travelled with him all the way to Matungu in Kakamega county after being contracted by one of her accomplices Purity.
“The women involved are three and they steal children and take them to neighboring countries like Uganda”, said Peter Ndunda the Mlolongo chief. He also mentioned that there were cases of missing children in the area.
Miriam who is currently being held at Mlolongo police station is expected to give more information on the syndicate operation and help in tracing some of the missing children in the area. Her arrest comes just two months after another suspect Christina Masika was arrested in Kasarani after she attempted to sell a five days old baby for Ksh.400000 to detectives.
