Shocked residents of Kenya Israel, Machakos mill around the Pit latrine where the body of a one week old baby was found. Photo by Virginia Siebela. 
By Virginia Siebela
Police in Machakos have arrested a 23-year-old woman accused of killing her one-week-old baby and discarding the body in a pit latrine, sending shockwaves through the Kenya Israel area.
The suspect, Martha Atieno, a first-year student at KMTC Manza Campus, is believed to have committed the horrifying act just a day after giving birth last week.
The grim discovery came after concerned neighbors, puzzled by the absence of a baby despite her visibly full-term pregnancy, confronted her. Under pressure, she allegedly confessed to dumping the infant in a pit latrine, where the body remained for over a week.
Area security chief Daniel Musau confirmed the incident and expressed concern over the growing number of similar cases in the region, many of which go unreported due to their secretive nature.
He urged young people, especially students, to avoid reckless lifestyles and remain focused on their studies.
A neighbor, Judith Kanini, described Atieno as uncooperative and evasive. "We noticed she was washing blood-stained clothes but refused to tell us where the baby was," Kanini said.
Police have launched further investigations, and Atieno is currently in custody awaiting arraignment.
