A woman was arrested at Othaya District Hospital for feigning a pregnancy with a balloon under her clothes.

Ms Purity Kiritu, 21, had already been admitted, pretending to be in labour when she was seized by police officers on Wednesday night.

The woman, who lives in Nairobi’s Dandora Estate with her husband, a boda boda rider, had travelled to Kiriaini in Murang’a four days ago to stay with her mother-in-law, Ms Josephine Wairimu.

The couple don’t have children yet.

IN LABOUR

She is said to have told Ms Wairimu that she was in labour, requesting to be taken to hospital at about 7:30pm.

Nurses are said to have assessed and even admitted her in preparation for delivery.

However, a nurse, who was to take Ms Kiritu to the delivery room, noticed something unusual with the ‘pregnancy’.

On checking, she was shocked to find a red, inflated balloon.

Nyeri South Deputy OCPD Jefferson Ali said that the hospital called the police who arrested the woman and took the balloon as an exhibit.

STEAL A BABY

An officer, who sought anonymity, said the woman could have been plotting to steal a baby from the hospital or seeking a referral to Pumwani Hospital in Nairobi.

He noted that the incident was a common tactic used by people who steal babies.

Ms Kiritu was charged yesterday, but did not take a plea until she undergoes a mental exam. She was remanded in custody until September 2.