Directorate of Criminal Investigations arrest couple in connection with murder of 3-year-old baby

Phylis Njeri and Jackson Ngui are now facing murder charges following the death of three-year-old baby David Ndung’u.

The two were arrested by authorities from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Illasit village, Kajiado County, near the Kenya-Tanzania border. They are alleged to have burned and tortured the baby in the presence of his six-year-old brother, Peter Ndung’u.

Once they discovered David had died, the two rushed to dump the baby at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital. The brothers had been left under the care of Njeri, before their mother Maureen Njoki, left the country for Saudi Arabia in November 2021.

Njeri received the news and announced it on social media, which triggered an online outrage with Kenyans seeking justice for the boy.

Phylis Njeri was arrested as she attempted to cross over to Tanzania. Image: DCI/Twitter Pulse Live Kenya

“Further forensic analysis conducted at the couple’s house in Kwa Maji area within Mowlem, in Kamukunji sub-county, revealed that the baby was killed in the house before being dumped at Mama Lucy Kibaki’s Hospital mortuary.” said DCI boss George Kinoti.

Detectives also seized a whip that was used to assault Peter. “Upon realising the gravity of their actions, the murderous couple desperately attempted to seek medication at local chemists but the little angel was long gone,” read a statement from the DCI.

A post-mortem report indicated that David’s body had severe burns in both hands, legs and buttocks. It also had fresh injuries in the neck, back and face.

The two suspects are currently being transferred to Nairobi where they will be arraigned in court.