An 8-month-old baby has been rescued by coast guards from drowning in the Indian Ocean at Likoni ferry crossing.
Residents claimed that the infant was thrown into the ocean by their mother.
In a statement on Sunday, December 3, Kenya Red Cross said the infant is safe and at the rescue centre.
“Heroic intervention at the Likoni ferry crossing. An 8-month-old child, miraculously saved after a distressing incident in the Indian Ocean, is now safe at the Kenya Red Cross rescue centre. Thanks to swift action and our heartfelt gratitude to the rescue team,” Kenya Red Cross said.
A video shared on the internet by a local blogger captured the intense moments as coast guards braved the ocean to rescue the helpless baby.
Other compassionate bystanders can be seen assisting in the rescue operation.
The distressing incident has ignited fury among residents, with many demanding legal action against the mother for her appalling actions.
Child laws in the Penal Code
Infanticide, as defined in the Penal Code, refers to the act of a mother causing the death of her child below 12 months.
In such cases, some women have faced severe consequences, including public lynching.
Section 210 of the Penal Code treats infanticide as manslaughter, and according to section 202, anyone causing the death of another person through an unlawful act or omission is guilty of this felony.
The punishment for infanticide aligns with that of manslaughter, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
However, some women get lucky and get shorter terms after courts associate the crime with Post-Partum Depression (PPD).
PPD is a mood or mental disorder that can affect some people after childbirth. It involves feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion.
