Kabarnet Principal Magistrate Purity Koskey has ordered that Viola Kangogo be detained at Eldoret Women GK Prison pending a second mental assessment.
Kangogo, 28, is accused of killing her infant on March 4 at around 8 p.m. at their home in Turukwei village, Baringo Central subcounty.
The court heard that psychiatrist Dr. Stanley Kilelit had conducted a mental assessment, which found her to be of unsound mind when she was first arraigned. However, the report was “not clear on what is ailing the suspect,” prompting the prosecution to request a second assessment. The Director of Public Prosecutions intends to charge Kangogo with infanticide, contrary to Section 210 as read with Section 205 of the Penal Code.
According to a police report filed by Kangogo’s husband, Ronald Yator, they had been living peacefully as a family until the tragic incident. Yator stated that on March 3, Kangogo accused him of having extra-marital affairs, which led to a heated argument.
Following the confrontation, Yator said his wife became agitated and started threatening to kill either him or the child. He recounted how she picked up a scarf and attempted to strangle the baby, but he managed to intervene and save the infant.
The next day, around 8 p.m., Kangogo reportedly left home and later returned "very drunk." When Yator asked her to breastfeed the child, she instead “lifted up the baby and brutally hit her head on a stone, killing the child instantly.”
Realizing what had happened, Kangogo allegedly attempted to take her own life, but Yator restrained her.
The court has set the case for mention on April 4.