Two persons accused of child trafficking at the Mama Lucy Hospital in Nairobi were yesterday put on their defence.

This is after Senior principal Magistrate Esther Kimilu ruled that the two social workers Fred Leparan and Selina Adundo have a case to answer.

“Having analysed the evidence on record, I find that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the two accused persons have a case to answer as charged,” said the magistrate.

The two workers are facing charges of trafficking in persons contrary to the law, conspiracy to commit a felony, namely trafficking in persons, neglect of a child, among other charges.

The charges state that on diverse dates between March and November 16, 2020 at Mama Lucy Hospital, in Nairobi jointly with others not before court, they conspired to commit a felony.

That between April 30 and May 13, 2020 at the said hospital, they jointly received and transferred three children aged  three weeks, two months and eight days.

During the hearing of the case, a witness narrated how one of the accused persons, Leparan pocketed Sh300,000 in illegal sale of abandoned babies at the hospital.

The court heard that Leparan, who is a social worker at the hospital, pocketed the money from a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) journalist.

Peter Murimi, a director and producer of the film “The  baby stealers” aired on BBC, told the court that the Sh300,000 was put on the table  at the request of Leparan.

The duo has denied five counts of child theft and a child trafficking syndicate. “The fact that Fred does not even have confidence to receive the cash, being proceeds of sale of a child…confirmed that he understands the illegal nature of his dealings,” Murimi said.

Lawyer Robinson Kigen is holding brief for BBC which aired the story.