Ian Kariuki, a one year old boy, was taken away from his parents’ home in Kiamwathi village, Nyeri, on May 31, by his 46-year old nanny identified as Jane Nyambura.
On the fateful day, Ian’s mother had seen off his elder brother, aged 6, to school, and left the home at 7.45am.
According to neighbors, Ian and Nyambura were last seen in the compound at around 11 am.
A search for the minor’s whereabouts immediately commenced with leads indicating that he was spotted with his nanny 30 kilometers away from home.
As fate would have it, Nyambura, who hadn’t groomed herself for days was spotted in Kigogoini forest by locals who were cutting coffee bushes nearby.
Apparently, she had made a cave in the bushes and made a grass bed, and that is where she had been living with her employer’s child.
The locals first spotted her on Thursday June 6, when she had gone to the market to buy bread and water.
“We were told that she was alone since she had left the baby lying in the forest,” one of the officers carrying out the investigations said.
Nyambura and Ian were found on Friday at 2pm looking hungry and weak, having spend a whole day without eating anything.
They were transferred to a nearby home where they were fed as the police were alerted.
Emotions ran down as Ian’s parents were able to hold him once again in their arms, after several sleepless nights.
His father, Michael Kariuki, said that he was healthy but dirty.
“He had soiled himself and had not changed his clothes for the past one week that they had been living in the forest,” he said.
The family had employed Nyambura two months ago, and during the entire time, she had not shown any red flags.
“Nyambura was introverted, peace-loving and had never harrassed the two boys. She was recommended by her niece who resides in our neighborhood,” they said.
Ian was taken to a hospital for medical check-up while Nyambura was taken to Nyeri Central police station.
