Residents of Mai Mahiu in Naivasha are reeling from shock after a tragic incident in which a man allegedly killed his two young children before taking his own life in Duka Moja, Narok County.
According to police reports and relatives, the man, believed to be in his late twenties, poisoned his two children — aged six and four — by giving them tainted porridge before hanging himself inside his house. Investigators suspect the heartbreaking act was triggered by a domestic dispute with his estranged wife.
On Sunday, grief engulfed the quiet village as relatives, friends, and neighbours gathered to mourn the two minors whose lives were cut short in the most tragic way.
The children’s mother, Mary Karuku, recounted the events leading up to the incident, saying her estranged husband took the children from her home while she was away.
“I tried calling him several times, but he wouldn’t answer. I went to Mai Mahiu Police Station to report the matter when I realized he hadn’t brought the children back,” Karuku said tearfully.
Her worst fears came true the following morning when she arrived at his home in Duka Moja and found the bodies of her children, alongside that of their father, who had died by suicide.
“I don’t know where to start. My heart is shattered. I’m appealing to leaders and well-wishers to help me bury my babies,” she said, struggling to hold back tears.
The family remains in deep shock, with Karuku’s aunt, Dorcas Njeri, describing the tragedy as beyond comprehension.
“We cannot understand what could drive someone to harm innocent children. The pain is unbearable,” she said.
Former Naivasha MCA Eunice Mureithi, who visited the grieving family, condemned the act and urged Kenyans facing emotional or domestic challenges to seek help instead of resorting to violence.
“Many families are struggling, but taking lives is never the answer. We must promote dialogue and mental health awareness to prevent such tragedies,” Mureithi said.
A senior police officer from Duka Moja confirmed the incident, saying the three bodies had been taken to Narok County Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examinations.
The tragedy adds to a rising number of domestic-related deaths across Kenya, raising renewed calls for counselling services, social support systems, and mental health awareness to help families in crisis before more lives are lost.
