NAIROBI – A quiet Nairobi neighbourhood has been left shaken after a toddler, Amanda Mutheu, reportedly died when she was thrown from a third-floor balcony—allegedly by her uncle, who was drunk at the time.
The incident, which unfolded at Jacaranda Residences in Roysambu, has sparked outrage. The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) called it a “devastating violation of trust and safety owed to every child.”
Amanda, believed to be around four years old, died shortly after the fall. Witnesses say she was in the care of her nanny when her uncle arrived home visibly intoxicated.
“He was in a bad state,” said a neighbour who asked not to be named. “He started causing trouble and grabbed the child from the nanny before anyone could stop him.”
Moments later, Amanda was hurled over the balcony. Security guards and residents rushed to the scene after hearing screams, catching the suspect before he could flee. Some neighbours, overwhelmed by anger, began beating the man until police intervened.
Officers from Kahawa West Police Station took the uncle into custody and transported him to Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital. Amanda was also rushed to the hospital but was declared dead in the ICU.
In an emotional statement, FIDA-Kenya expressed deep sorrow, describing Amanda’s death as a “heart-wrenching reminder of the dangers children face even in spaces where they should feel safest.”
“Baby Amanda met her death at the hands of an uncle who should have ordinarily been her protector,” the statement read. “We have deployed an advocate to pursue this matter and follow up with the relevant authorities to ensure that Amanda and her family receive timely justice.”
The suspect, while being subdued by residents, reportedly denied the act. “I did not throw Mutheu. I love her. What I threw was a doll,” he shouted, according to multiple witnesses. He insisted that CCTV footage would prove his innocence.
Police have launched an investigation and are reviewing surveillance footage from the building. Preliminary reports indicate the uncle may face murder charges, pending confirmation from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
FIDA-Kenya said it would monitor the case closely. “We stand firm in demanding accountability and justice not just for Amanda, but for every child whose rights are trampled,” the organisation said.
The incident has sparked a wider conversation about child safety, alcohol abuse, and domestic violence in Kenya issues that advocates say must be addressed more urgently.
“The law must protect our children, and justice must not be delayed,” said Mary Wambui, a child rights activist in Nairobi. “Amanda’s life ended far too soon. We owe her family truth, justice, and change.”
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