Mulembe Times | October 27, 2025
Residents of Mai Mahiu in Naivasha are struggling to come to terms with a horrific tragedy in which a man allegedly killed his two young children before taking his own life in Duka Moja, Narok County.
Police and family members said the man, believed to be in his late twenties, poisoned his two children—aged six and four—by serving them porridge laced with poison before hanging himself inside his house.
The chilling incident is suspected to have been triggered by a domestic dispute with his estranged wife, plunging the family and the wider community into deep mourning.
On Sunday, grief engulfed the homestead as relatives, friends, and neighbours gathered to comfort the bereaved family and mourn the deaths of the two minors.
The children’s mother, Mary Karuku, tearfully recounted the devastating events that led to the tragedy.
She said her estranged husband took the children without her consent while she was away from home.
“I tried calling him several times, but he wouldn’t pick up. I reported the matter at Mai Mahiu Police Station after realizing he hadn’t returned with the children,” Karuku told Citizen Digital, her voice breaking with emotion.
Her worst fears were realized the following morning when she travelled to the man’s home in Duka Moja, only to find the lifeless bodies of her two children—and that of their father, who had taken his own life.
“I don’t know where to start. My heart is shattered. I’m appealing to our leaders and people of goodwill to help me bury my babies,” she said, weeping uncontrollably.
Her aunt, Dorcas Njeri, described the incident as incomprehensible and deeply painful, saying the family was still in shock.
“We cannot understand what could drive someone to kill innocent children whose lives had barely begun. We are heartbroken as we make burial arrangements,” Njeri lamented.
Former Naivasha MCA Eunice Mureithi, who visited the grieving family, condemned the act in the strongest terms, describing it as “inhuman and beastly.” She called on individuals facing emotional or relationship challenges to seek help instead of resorting to violence.
“We know many families are going through difficult times, but murder and violence can never be a solution. We must promote mental health awareness and encourage open dialogue in our communities,” Mureithi said.
A senior police officer from Duka Moja, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, saying the three bodies had been moved to the Narok County Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examination.
“Investigations are ongoing, but preliminary reports suggest poisoning and suicide. We are working with family members to establish the full details,” the officer said.
The tragedy adds to a growing list of domestic-related killings that have shocked the country in recent months, raising concerns about the increasing toll of family and mental health crises.
Counsellors and community leaders are urging families to seek professional help, pastoral guidance, or social support before conflicts spiral out of control.
