Kenyan Police in Kahawa Wendani, Kiambu County have launched investigations after a baby was shot dead by a stray bullet while in her mother’s arms.

Ms Pauline Kaigongi on Monday said that she was holding her three-year-old baby, named Angel, on the balcony of a building in Kahawa Wendani when a bullet struck her.

“I was at the balcony of the top floor of the house and the baby was in my hands when the bullet hit her on the head. She was pronounced dead on arrival at a local dispensary,” she said.

Eyewitnesses said that the Saturday morning incident took place after police tried to disperse a mob that was beating up three suspected robbers.

The police started shooting in the air with the aim of dispersing the crowd and one of the bullets hit the minor.

Ruiru Sub-County police boss Phineas Ringera confirmed the incident, saying that already the officer believed to have pulled the trigger was arrested and his gun taken for ballistic tests.

“Investigations are ongoing and I want to assure the family that they will get justice. No need to worry or cause alarm as we are following the matter keenly,” he said.

He also confirmed that the three robbers who were being assaulted by the mob were in police custody.