Woman arrested after child dies in daycare choking incident in Kitengela

A woman has been arrested in Kitengela, Kajiado County, following the tragic death of a two and a half year old child at a local daycare center.

The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, March 25, is suspected to have been caused by choking while the child was being fed porridge at the facility.

The child’s mother had dropped her daughter off at the daycare around noon before heading to her workplace in the Export Processing Zone (EPZ).

However, the situation took a tragic turn later that afternoon when the daycare owner called the mother, informing her that the child had been rushed to Kitengela Sub-County Hospital after choking during feeding.

Upon arriving at the hospital, the mother was devastated to learn that her child had already passed away.

Police who later visited the hospital mortuary noted that while the child had no visible external injuries, there were signs that raised concerns.

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Vomit was found oozing from the child’s nostrils, and her upper lip appeared swollen, prompting further investigation into the cause of death.

The body has been preserved at the hospital mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. In the meantime, the daycare owner is in police custody to assist with the ongoing investigation.

The daycare center, which cares for dozens of children daily, is primarily attended by children of casual laborers in the area. The daycare owner explained to authorities that the child had choked while being fed.

This tragic incident has raised alarms among local parents in Kitengela, with many questioning the safety standards and level of supervision at daycare facilities in the area.

Parents are now calling for tighter regulations and closer scrutiny of daycare operations to ensure the safety of children in their care.

By Obegi Malack