KAJIADO, KENYA – A police officer in Rongai has received widespread commendation after rescuing a newborn baby boy found abandoned by a roadside on Wednesday morning. The incident, which gained national attention through social media, underscores the growing crisis of child abandonment, a significant social issue rooted in complex economic and social pressures facing vulnerable families in Kenya.

Police Constable Thomas Njoroge, attached to the Rongai Police Station in Kajiado County, was reportedly returning home at approximately 6:30 AM EAT on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, after completing his night shift when he discovered the infant. According to initial reports, the baby was wrapped in a cloth and left near a busy thoroughfare in the sprawling satellite town.

Constable Njoroge immediately secured the child and transported him to a nearby health facility for a medical examination. Medical staff confirmed the baby was stable and healthy, showing no immediate signs of injury or distress. In a gesture that has been widely praised, the officer then purchased new clothes and other essential items for the infant.

Following established protocol, the baby was placed under the care of the Kajiado County Children's Department. He has since been moved to a designated government children's home, where he is receiving professional care while authorities commence the legal process of tracing his family or seeking alternative family care solutions. The National Police Service (NPS) has not yet issued a formal statement, but sources within the service have confirmed the events and commended the officer for his quick and compassionate response.

A National Crisis in Focus

While Constable Njoroge's actions provide a moment of hope, the incident casts a harsh light on the pervasive issue of child abandonment in the country. Statistics from various child welfare organizations paint a grim picture. According to data from organizations like Kenya Without Orphans and the Child Welfare Society of Kenya (CWSK), thousands of children are abandoned annually. These children are often left in perilous locations such as roadsides, pit latrines, and refuse dumps.

A 2021 assessment of Kenya's care system by the National Council for Children Services (NCCS) noted that poverty, family breakdown, and lack of social support systems are primary drivers of child abandonment and vulnerability. The report highlighted that an estimated 3.6 million children in Kenya are classified as orphans or vulnerable, facing risks such as neglect, exploitation, and lack of access to basic services.

In a recent report from Bungoma County, officials noted that out of approximately 4,900 child abuse cases recorded between 2021 and 2022, a staggering 70%—around 3,400 cases—were related to child abandonment, with economic hardship cited as a major contributing factor.

Legal and Social Framework

Kenyan law, under The Children Act (2022), provides a robust framework for the protection of children. The Act stipulates that the best interests of the child are paramount in all matters concerning them. When a child is found abandoned, the standard procedure involves the police, who are mandated to ensure the child's immediate safety and report the matter to the nearest Directorate of Children's Services office. The child is then typically placed in temporary protective care as investigations and legal proceedings begin.

Child welfare agencies like CWSK play a critical role in this process, offering services that include rescue, temporary shelter, and facilitating alternative family care options such as foster care and adoption. However, these organizations are often overstretched, and the sheer volume of cases presents a formidable challenge to the child protection system.

The public response to the Rongai incident has been overwhelmingly positive, with many Kenyans on social media calling Constable Njoroge a hero. His actions serve as a powerful example of community policing and individual responsibility, even as they highlight the urgent need for stronger social safety nets to support struggling parents and prevent such desperate acts from occurring.