A Kenyan woman and her brother have sparked widespread concern after they were reportedly caught attempting to abandon a newborn baby in a bush at night.
The incident, captured in a video that has since circulated widely on social media, drew the attention of members of the public who confronted the two siblings.
In the footage, the woman is seen standing before an angry crowd as her brother sits on the ground while being questioned about the alleged incident.
According to the brother, he became involved after his sister contacted him and told him that life had become extremely difficult for her.
He explained that the woman already had another young child who was still breastfeeding.
The brother said his sister had travelled to the village and returned in June before later reaching out to him for help.
He claimed that he was at his workplace when she called him and explained the difficult situation she was facing.
The man, who said he works at a garage, insisted that he had not planned to become involved in an attempt to abandon the newborn.
However, his explanation did little to calm some members of the crowd, who accused him of helping his sister carry out the alleged act.
According to the video, the brother was assaulted by some people at the scene as he pleaded for mercy.
He maintained that he had only tried to assist his sister and did not expect to find himself in such a serious situation.
As the confrontation continued, attention also turned to the mother and the difficult circumstances she was reportedly facing.
Some members of the public urged her not to abandon the baby, despite the challenges she was experiencing.
They advised her to seek help through the relevant authorities and institutions rather than leaving the newborn in a dangerous environment.
One person suggested that the woman could take the child to a police station or seek assistance from a children’s home if she was unable to care for the baby.
The incident has since triggered mixed reactions online, with many people expressing concern about the welfare of both the newborn and the mother.
Some social media users called for the woman to receive support and counselling, arguing that her actions may have been influenced by desperation and the difficulties she was facing.
Others questioned the different treatment received by the siblings during the confrontation, particularly after the brother was reportedly assaulted by members of the public.
The incident has renewed discussions about the need for struggling mothers and families to have access to support and safe alternatives during times of extreme hardship.
Many people have emphasised that the safety and welfare of the newborn should remain the priority while the circumstances surrounding the incident are addressed.