Millicent Wambui is said to have kidnapped baby Maya Kerubo in Rhonda estate in Nakuru West last year around October.
According to Lilian Moraa, baby Maya’s grandmother, a woman from Bahati called her and started asking questions about Maya especially after the media highlighted the case.
Upon further questioning, the woman identified as Sophie Wanjiku asked to see a photo of Maya so she could confirm her suspicions.
Ms Moraa shared a photo via WhatsApp and Wanjiku who happened to be the Landlady was able to confirm that Maya was indeed being looked after by her tenant who was not her real mother.
This led to the arrest of Ms Millicent Wambui and the case commenced with her pleading guilty to the charges of kidnapping a baby.
The matter was before Senior Resident Magistrate Priscah Nyotah who on Tuesday February 11, 2025 sentenced Millicent Wambui to 2 years imprisonment and a fine of Sh 50,000.
In issuing the sentence, Nyotah cited the probation officer’s report that was submitted before court that Wambui was not remorseful for her act and would repeat the same act if released or allowed to serve on probation.
“You went took the baby and lived with the baby without returning the baby to the mother. The probation officer’s report was not favorable to you. You will serve two years in prison as a lesson to others like you,” read the sentence.
Wambui’s attempt to have a sentence reduced claiming that she had mental issues and was on drugs did not materialize as the Senior Resident Magistrate Nyotah advised her to continue taking her drugs and also seek counseling.
Nyotah also warned her against involving in similar incidents of kidnapping or stealing babies as she will be risking even stiffer penalties in future.
The woman has 14 days to appeal.
It should be noted that Maya Kerubo who is now one-year-old was found and reunited with family, thanks to the intervention of the landlady.
Addressing press outside Nakuru Law courts some minutes after the court sentencing, Sophie Wanjiku-the landlady lauded the court for the sentence stating that justice had been served even though the sentencing according to her was somehow lenient.
“The sentencing should have been more than the two years so that it can deter others who would engage in such activities, ” she stated.
Sentiments echoed by the baby’s grandmother Lilian Moraa who thanked the landlady for the gesture of ensuring the baby is found.
She at the same time thanked the media for highlighting the matter since the baby was stolen last year.
“We are grateful to all those who played part in ensuring that the baby is found and that justice is served,” she stated.
