22-year-old arrested over children negligence

A 22-year-old mother was arrested on Thursday in Nakuru over children negligence.

Veronicah Njeri, a mother of two was arrested few minutes after she returned home from a drinking spree at Karumaindo, Lake View Estate. Neighbours discovered that she had locked the children in the house in unhygienic conditions and they appeared malnourished.

According to the neighbours, Njeri does not have a stable job and is engaged to a bodaboda operator who rarely supports her. She is also a known drunkard and is believed to have been locking her children in the house at night before going out to drink.

Area chief George Ng’ang’a, said that cases of child negligence among women has increased in the area and he is going to take tough measures.

“On entering the house we found the children in unhygienic conditions, the children did not have food and therefore I want to arrest her so that it becomes a lesson to others,” Ng’ang’a said.

In her defense, Njeri said that life had become difficult forcing her to lock up the children so that she can find a way of getting money for their upkeep.

“I had gone to look for someone to buy the bed, my kids do not have food, the other day I sold a table for them to eat but people believe I was drunk which is a lie,” Njeri said amid sobs.

Neighbours are blaming it on men in the area for becoming irresponsible and failing to feed their families.

Njeri was taken to Bondeni Police Station together with her children.