Deputy Director of Medical Services at the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) Musa Mohammed was on Monday, February 15, acquitted of child trafficking charges at Milimani Law courts in Nairobi County.
Mohammed was among seven people who had been arrested in November 2020 for allegedly running a child trafficking syndicate after an expose by BBC Africa.
The prosecution withdrew all the charges and the case dismissed for lack of evidence.
Further, the prosecution applied to the court to have the NMS staff to appear as a witness in the case against other suspects nabbed for allegedly operating the scheme at the hospital.
Speaking after the court proceedings, Mohammed expressed gratitude to his legal team led by Hassan Nandwa for their exemplary legal services.
"I'm very happy that I'm a free person and that I can resume my duties within the NMS," Mohammed stated.
Mohammed served as the Medical Superintendent of the then Garissa Provincial General Hospital before jumping ship to serve as the CEO of Mama Lucy hospital where he served for two successive governments before being promoted to Deputy Director at NMS.
The illegal dealings at Mama Lucy hospital were brought to light by a BBC Africa's exposé, dubbed the Baby Stealers. The hospital was singled out as a hotspot for child trafficking. In the feature, a social worker was caught on camera negotiating to sell a baby to an undercover BBC journalist.
The highly publicized feature prompted the police to commence investigations on the employees working at the private hospital.
“In the course of the investigations and operations, it is unfortunate that it was realized senior medical officers in collusion with the child smugglers are highly involved," read part of the statement by police.
The police urged Kenyans to cooperate with police officers in uncovering the crime syndicate operating in the streets of Nairobi. He noted that collaboration would ensure that the operation would go smoothly.
