Shock has gripped residents of Machakos County after a Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) student confessed to abandoning her newborn in a pit latrine.
In a now-viral video, 23-year-old Martha Atieno narrated how she gave birth alone, cut the umbilical cord, cleaned the baby, and left the infant in the house under the care of a man.
When she returned later to take the baby to the hospital, the man had disappeared.
Atieno explained that after giving birth, she cut the umbilical cord, cleaned the newborn, left the baby in the house, and stepped out.
She told officers that the baby was unwell when she came back.
She said the baby was pale yellow and was breathing heavily.
She added that she was coming back to take the baby to the hospital, but when she carried the baby, it bowed its head and died.
The situation worsened when she admitted to leaving the baby unattended and later dumping the body.
Atieno explained that she had exams that morning and was very desperate, so she went to school and sat for her exams.
She said she left the baby in the house and when she returned, she did not know what to do with it. She claimed she was forced to throw the baby into the pit latrine and did not tell anyone.
Neighbours grew suspicious after noticing the foul smell and the absence of the baby. Judith Kanini, a neighbour, said Atieno had hinted she might move out soon.
Daniel Musau, a Nyumba Kumi official, confirmed that Atieno initially claimed she had taken the baby home, but later confessed. Police have since arrested her and launched further investigations.
