Murang'a: One-day-old baby dumped by mother miraculously survives 15 hours in filthy pit latrine

A one-day-old baby girl has "miraculously" survived after being dumped into a 20-foot deep pit latrine for 15 hours by her mother in Kimandi Wanyaga village, Ndakaini, Muranga County.

Rachel Koche Makomu is set to be charged with attempted murder and failing to declare the birth.

The 29-year-old woman who had been pregnant raised suspicions after suddenly showing up with no baby yet she appeared to have given birth.

Her co-worker noticed this and after raising questions, Makomu could not explain her condition.

The area assistant chief reported the matter to Ndaka-ini Police Station on Monday telling officers he suspected the woman concealed a birth. 

According to Gatanga police boss Laurence Njeru, officers visited the woman's home as they investigated the matter.

"After interrogating her, she confessed that she had given birth the previous day and dumped the baby in a pit latrine," he said.

The officers quickly assembled residents to search for the baby, finding her alive in the said pit latrine.

"Thank God of graciousness that the baby was retrieved alive after it had spent more than 15 hours in the filth," says officer Njeru.

The mother and her baby were taken to Thika Level Five Hospital to monitor the health of the baby. "We are happy and acknowledge the miracle... so far, so good because she has been ruled fit to live," adds Njeru.

A report from the hospital says the baby is out of danger and can be discharged. The hospital named the baby "Angel".