Kisumu Court Sentences Mentally Ill Mother to Probation in Infant’s Death Case

A Kisumu court has handed a three-year probation sentence to Sarah Anyango, a mentally ill woman who pleaded guilty to killing her six-month-old son, in a ruling that underscores the growing role of mental health considerations in Kenya’s justice system.

The court accepted a plea bargain negotiated with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which saw the charge reduced to manslaughter. The sentence includes mandatory psychiatric treatment and close monitoring as part of her rehabilitation.

According to court proceedings, the tragic incident occurred on May 10, 2024, in Kanyaranga Village, Seme Sub-County, Kisumu County. Anyango, who appeared mentally disturbed at the time, was seen violently assaulting her infant while staying at a relative’s home. Despite efforts by witnesses to intervene, she fled into a maize field and spent the night outdoors. The next morning, she was found still holding the unresponsive child.

Authorities, including a local elder, the area chief, and police officers, confirmed the child’s death at the scene. A post-mortem conducted at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital revealed gruesome injuries, including facial swelling, severe foot burns, eye gouging, and signs of strangulation—the confirmed cause of death.

During sentencing, Prosecutor Mercy Muema acknowledged the brutality of the incident but urged the court to consider the accused’s mental health and her noted progress while in custody. The case, she said, reflects a broader shift towards recognizing and addressing mental health issues within the legal system.

Under the terms of the sentence, Anyango will continue receiving psychiatric treatment under supervision, with the goal of full rehabilitation and eventual reintegration into society.

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