According to information gathered from a human-interest story similar to one I recently shared, this case shows how easily vulnerable mothers fall through the cracks of the justice system.
A young mother, who had been looking forward to her release from remand, died before her case could even be heard.
A young mother, who had been looking forward to her release from remand, died before her case could even be heard.
She leaves behind her baby girl, a child less than a year old, who has been sleeping in a cold cell with no understanding of why her mother never returned.
The story was highlighted by Advocate Wangari, who has been handling the family’s case. In her emotional narration, she said the woman had been arrested shortly after giving birth and taken to remand with her newborn.
The story was highlighted by Advocate Wangari, who has been handling the family’s case. In her emotional narration, she said the woman had been arrested shortly after giving birth and taken to remand with her newborn.
The mother had been weak, stressed, and struggling physically, but she kept hoping she would get freedom soon.
A few days ago, the young mother’s health deteriorated rapidly. She was taken to hospital, where she died quietly before the court could hear her side of the story.
A few days ago, the young mother’s health deteriorated rapidly. She was taken to hospital, where she died quietly before the court could hear her side of the story.
Her legal team had prepared everything to plead for her release, but life slipped away before justice could reach her.
Her infant daughter is still in remand, sleeping on a thin mattress and waiting for a mother who will never come back.
Her infant daughter is still in remand, sleeping on a thin mattress and waiting for a mother who will never come back.
Officers say the child has been depending on well-wishers for basic needs like diapers and warm clothing.
Her freedom had been blocked by one thing only — money.
Bail was set at KSh 100,000. After pushing hard, Wangari’s team had it reduced to KSh 40,000, but even that was impossible for the family.
Her freedom had been blocked by one thing only — money.
Bail was set at KSh 100,000. After pushing hard, Wangari’s team had it reduced to KSh 40,000, but even that was impossible for the family.
They returned to court hoping for a personal bond because the mother’s health was worsening. Instead of a date, they were handed her death summary.
Her lawyer said the mother’s body simply gave up.
“Her defence was ready, but she didn’t live long enough for the court to hear her truth,” Wangari shared.
Emotional and Psychological Damage
Advocate Wangari also explained that arresting a woman immediately after childbirth is extremely dangerous.
Her lawyer said the mother’s body simply gave up.
“Her defence was ready, but she didn’t live long enough for the court to hear her truth,” Wangari shared.
Emotional and Psychological Damage
Advocate Wangari also explained that arresting a woman immediately after childbirth is extremely dangerous.
That period is delicate — the body is weak, the mind is fragile, and the mother is mentally adjusting to caring for a newborn.
Detention during that time pushes the brain into survival mode. Sleep becomes impossible. Anxiety grows.
Detention during that time pushes the brain into survival mode. Sleep becomes impossible. Anxiety grows.
When poverty blocks the door to freedom, the trauma turns into what advocates call moral injury — when systems that should protect end up causing harm.
As the community mourns the mother, her family is now struggling with two painful responsibilities:
Giving her a dignified burial
Raising her infant daughter without the woman who brought her into the world
Advocate Wangari has appealed to Kenyans of goodwill to help the family cope during this dark moment. Contributions can be sent through:
Paybill: 4699532
Account: Your Name
She promised to keep fighting so that no other mother or child goes through such suffering.
Similar Heartbreaking Case
Just days earlier, another Kenyan woman, Nancy Karenga, passed away after battling a severe blood disorder. She had used her social media page to beg well-wishers for blood and platelet donations.
Despite help from the public, her condition worsened and she died at Nairobi West Hospital.
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Family