Woman Sentenced to 20 Years for Selling 9-Month-Old Baby
NAROK, Kenya — A woman from Sotik has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of selling her 9-month-old baby boy in a case that has shocked many.
Magdalene Chelangat met a man in Kericho in 2022 who was selling SIM cards. The two exchanged contacts and began a relationship while she was working in Nakuru. Their relationship progressed, and she later became pregnant.
After the man lost his job and relocated to Bomet County to work as a tea plucker, he convinced Magdalene to move with him to his rural home in Narok County, promising to start a family together. However, their situation quickly deteriorated.
While living there, Magdalene reportedly learned from an in-law that her partner had sold all his land and squandered the money. Tensions escalated further when he began restricting her from using social media.
In one incident, the man took Magdalene’s phone under the pretext that his battery had died, only to return later after selling it and leaving her with an empty SIM card. Frustrated and disillusioned, she left and returned to her parents’ home.
After giving birth to a baby boy, she informed the man, who briefly sent financial support before cutting off assistance, leaving her to raise the child alone.
According to court proceedings, the pressure of single motherhood became overwhelming. In desperation, Magdalene sought out a childless woman and agreed to sell her baby for KSh 200,000. She handed over the child with the understanding that payment would follow later.
However, neighbors became suspicious after noticing the baby’s sudden disappearance and reported the matter to authorities, leading to her arrest.
During the trial, Magdalene initially refused to disclose the child’s whereabouts and was reportedly advised to deny ever giving birth. However, the prosecution presented clinic records and a birth notification that confirmed the child’s existence.
The court ultimately found her guilty, sentencing her to 20 years in prison.
