In July 2023, Beth Waithera, a Nairobi CBD street vendor, began her day like any other, taking her baby to daycare before hitting the streets to sell her wares.

Little did she know that this routine would lead to a heartbreaking separation from her child.

While working, Waithera was suddenly apprehended by County Council Officers, commonly known as Kanjo, and taken into custody at Kamukunji Police Station.

The next day, Beth Waithera found herself in a courtroom at City Hall, where she was tried. She was given two options; either pay a fine of Ksh10,000 or face a month-long imprisonment.

With no means to raise the bail amount, Beth Waithera had no option but to endure a month-long imprisonment.

“On August 8, 2023 I was set free. I went back to the day care that I left my baby only to hear that she had been handed over to police two days before,” she recalls.

Seeking answers and resolution, Waithera embarked on a quest that led her to various police stations, only to be directed to the Child Welfare Society of Kenya (CWSK).

There, she discovered that the welfare society had assumed custody of her toddler during her incarceration.

Determined to reclaim her child, Waithera initiated the necessary procedures, including undergoing a DNA test to establish her maternal relationship with the toddler.

After what must have felt like an agonizing wait, on Saturday June 8, 2024, the momentous day finally arrived. Waithera was joyfully reunited with her 2-year-and-8-month-old baby, marking the end of a challenging journey filled with uncertainty and longing.

Nazarina Mokugu, a coordinator at CWSK, emphasized that they had diligently pursued the case following the mother’s arrest, highlighting the organization’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of children.

She further urged parents to prioritize the well-being of their children, emphasizing that proper care and attention could prevent similar distressing incidents from occurring in the future.