8-Month-Old Baby Saved After Being Thrown By Mother Into Indian Ocean

Coastguards and other individuals on Sunday, December 3 raced against time to rescue an 8-month-old baby from drowning in the Indian Ocean where her mother reportedly threw her.

The Kenya Red Cross, in a statement, indicated that the child was rescued following prompt action by the rescue team at the Likoni Ferry channel.

"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," the statement read.

Nyinyi wasichana za zengine shida yenu ninini. Sibasi muwe munatombwa na mipira instead of killing innocent babies mukiza.

Imagine a one -year-old baby girl has just been rescued from the Indian ocean at Likoni ferry after she was thrown by her her mother. pic.twitter.com/J10HmMnwVd — Mike Sonko (@MikeSonko) December 3, 2023

A clip shared on social media showed a group of responders deploying floaters in a daring attempt to rescue the baby immediately after the incident took place.

Residents had claimed that the infant was thrown into the ocean by the mother, whom reports established that she was deaf. Nonetheless, the incident angered Kenyans who called for action to be taken against the parent.

"Imagine a one-year-old baby girl has just been rescued from the Indian ocean at Likoni ferry after she was thrown by her mother," former Nairobi Governor, Mike Sonko, wrote in part.

"Humans have the capacity to be really heartless against each other. But I admire the fact that they also possess the capacity to really come through for victims of the said heartlessness. In some cases even risking their own lives," another user weighed in.

"Shock as a deaf female adult throws an 8-year-old in the ocean at Likoni ferry crossway. Luckily, divers from the ferry responded swiftly by diving & saving the juvenile. The lady is being held by police," reported Citizen TV's Seth Olale.

Infanticide In Kenyan Law

Infanticide, as defined in the Penal Code according to Kenyan laws, 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.

Counsellors, medics, and psychologists advise that you can always reach out for help when experiencing any mental health issues. Call the Kenya Red Cross toll-free hotline, 1199, for support.

MV Kilindini Ferry at the Likoni Crossing Channel in Mombasa on September 30, 2016. /NAIROBI NEWS