A nine-month-old girl in Khuyala village, Busia County, is fighting for recovery after being brutally defiled by a 23-year-old job seeker who had asked to rest in a room behind her mother’s workplace.
The incident occurred on February 21, 2026, when the suspect, identified as intersex, approached the mother’s small business premises and requested a place to rest. The mother allowed him to use the back room, unaware of the danger. Moments later, the infant’s screams alerted the mother and nearby friends, who rushed in to find the baby in distress.
Doctors at Busia County Referral Hospital examined the child and diagnosed a recto-vaginal fistula, a severe injury where stool passes uncontrollably through the private parts due to the traumatic tear. The infant was stabilised and referred to Eldoret Teaching and Referral Hospital for specialised corrective surgery, which is expected to be complex and require long-term follow-up care.
The suspect was arrested immediately and is currently in police custody at Busia Police Station, awaiting court appearance on charges of defilement of a child. Police have described the case as “horrific” and confirmed they are treating it with the seriousness it deserves.
The mother, who asked not to be named to protect the child’s privacy, spoke briefly from the hospital. “I trusted him to rest for a short while. I never imagined he would touch my baby. She is only nine months old. How can someone do this to an innocent child? I am begging for prayers and for justice to be done quickly.”
The case has triggered widespread outrage across Kenya, with many citizens expressing shock and anger over the vulnerability of young children. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages demanding the harshest possible punishment for the suspect and stronger child protection measures nationwide. One widely shared post read: “This is beyond evil. A nine-month-old baby? We cannot continue like this. The law must be applied fully and swiftly.”
Busia County has recorded 621 cases of child defilement since the beginning of 2025, according to police statistics. The figure has alarmed local leaders and child rights organisations, who point to poverty, alcohol abuse, breakdown of family structures and weak enforcement of existing laws as contributing factors.
A senior police officer in Busia, who did not wish to be named, said the county is grappling with a worrying trend. “We are seeing more cases involving very young children. Some are opportunistic, others involve people known to the families. We are working with community leaders to increase awareness and encourage reporting, but the numbers remain high.”
Child protection experts have called for urgent intervention. A representative from a local children’s rights group said: “This case shows how vulnerable our youngest children are. We need more safe spaces, better parental education and faster response systems. The justice system must also act swiftly so that perpetrators know there are real consequences.”
The suspect’s intersex status has sparked additional discussion online, with some users cautioning against generalising or stigmatising the community while others demand that the law be applied equally regardless of gender identity. Police have confirmed they are treating the suspect as an adult male for legal purposes based on the nature of the alleged crime.
The family of the infant is currently staying at the hospital in Eldoret, where doctors are preparing the child for surgery. The procedure is expected to be delicate, with risks of long-term complications including incontinence and infections. Medical bills are being covered through a combination of county support and contributions from well-wishers who learned of the case through social media.
Meanwhile, the Busia County Government has pledged to support the family throughout the recovery process. A county official said: “This is a heartbreaking incident. We will ensure the child receives all necessary medical care and the family gets psychosocial support. We are also working with the police to ensure justice is served.”
The case has renewed calls for harsher penalties for defilement, especially involving infants. Several MPs from the region have promised to push for legislative changes that would impose mandatory minimum sentences and deny bail in such cases.
As the infant continues to fight for recovery, her story has become a painful symbol of the failures in child protection across the country. Kenyans from all walks of life continue to share messages of support and prayers, hoping for full healing and swift justice.
A nine-month-old girl in Khuyala village, Busia County, is fighting for recovery after being brutally defiled by a 23-year-old job seeker who had asked to rest in a room behind her mother’s workplace.
The incident occurred on February 21, 2026, when the suspect, identified as intersex, approached the mother’s small business premises and requested a place to rest. The mother allowed him to use the back room, unaware of the danger. Moments later, the infant’s screams alerted the mother and nearby friends, who rushed in to find the baby in distress.
Doctors at Busia County Referral Hospital examined the child and diagnosed a recto-vaginal fistula, a severe injury where stool passes uncontrollably through the private parts due to the traumatic tear. The infant was stabilised and referred to Eldoret Teaching and Referral Hospital for specialised corrective surgery, which is expected to be complex and require long-term follow-up care.
The suspect was arrested immediately and is currently in police custody at Busia Police Station, awaiting court appearance on charges of defilement of a child. Police have described the case as “horrific” and confirmed they are treating it with the seriousness it deserves.
The mother, who asked not to be named to protect the child’s privacy, spoke briefly from the hospital. “I trusted him to rest for a short while. I never imagined he would touch my baby. She is only nine months old. How can someone do this to an innocent child? I am begging for prayers and for justice to be done quickly.”
The case has triggered widespread outrage across Kenya, with many citizens expressing shock and anger over the vulnerability of young children. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages demanding the harshest possible punishment for the suspect and stronger child protection measures nationwide. One widely shared post read: “This is beyond evil. A nine-month-old baby? We cannot continue like this. The law must be applied fully and swiftly.”
Busia County has recorded 621 cases of child defilement since the beginning of 2025, according to police statistics. The figure has alarmed local leaders and child rights organisations, who point to poverty, alcohol abuse, breakdown of family structures and weak enforcement of existing laws as contributing factors.
A senior police officer in Busia, who did not wish to be named, said the county is grappling with a worrying trend. “We are seeing more cases involving very young children. Some are opportunistic, others involve people known to the families. We are working with community leaders to increase awareness and encourage reporting, but the numbers remain high.”
Child protection experts have called for urgent intervention. A representative from a local children’s rights group said: “This case shows how vulnerable our youngest children are. We need more safe spaces, better parental education and faster response systems. The justice system must also act swiftly so that perpetrators know there are real consequences.”
The suspect’s intersex status has sparked additional discussion online, with some users cautioning against generalising or stigmatising the community while others demand that the law be applied equally regardless of gender identity. Police have confirmed they are treating the suspect as an adult male for legal purposes based on the nature of the alleged crime.
The family of the infant is currently staying at the hospital in Eldoret, where doctors are preparing the child for surgery. The procedure is expected to be delicate, with risks of long-term complications including incontinence and infections. Medical bills are being covered through a combination of county support and contributions from well-wishers who learned of the case through social media.
Meanwhile, the Busia County Government has pledged to support the family throughout the recovery process. A county official said: “This is a heartbreaking incident. We will ensure the child receives all necessary medical care and the family gets psychosocial support. We are also working with the police to ensure justice is served.”
The case has renewed calls for harsher penalties for defilement, especially involving infants. Several MPs from the region have promised to push for legislative changes that would impose mandatory minimum sentences and deny bail in such cases.
As the infant continues to fight for recovery, her story has become a painful symbol of the failures in child protection across the country. Kenyans from all walks of life continue to share messages of support and prayers, hoping for full healing and swift justice.
