Detectives in Turkana County are investigating a disturbing case in which a 35-year-old woman allegedly killed her two young children, buried them in a shallow grave, and later took her own life in the Todonyang area.
According to police reports, the shocking incident occurred in the Nachukui area on Sunday, October 26, 2025, when the woman, identified as Hellen Akai, is believed to have strangled her two sons, aged four and two, before burying them near her home.
Authorities said Akai was alone with the children at the time of the incident. Late at night, she reportedly dug a shallow grave and buried their bodies before hanging herself inside her house.
Her body was later discovered hanging from the roof truss with a rope tied around her neck. The motive behind the tragic act remains unclear.
Neighbors Raise Alarm After Unusual Silence
Neighbors grew concerned after noticing the family’s unusual silence and the absence of the children, who were often seen playing outside. They alerted local authorities, prompting police to visit the scene.
Upon arrival, officers exhumed the bodies of the two children and moved them, along with their mother’s remains, to the local mortuary for postmortem examination.
Residents told police that Akai had not shown any visible signs of emotional distress or instability before the tragedy, leaving many in shock.
Similar Cases on the Rise
The incident adds to a growing list of family-related murder-suicide cases being reported across the country. Just last week, in Suswa, Narok County, a man identified as Nahashon Mbogo poisoned his two daughters, aged six and four, before dying by suicide.
Police said Mbogo fed his children a toxic substance known as redcat poison, laid their bodies on a bed, and then hanged himself. The motive behind that case also remains unknown.
Rising Concern Over Mental Health
Police data indicates that up to five family-related murder-suicide cases are reported daily in Kenya, most involving men. Experts warn that economic stress, relationship breakdowns, and untreated mental health issues are contributing to the alarming trend.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), common triggers for such incidents include unemployment, grief, substance abuse, financial hardship, and mental disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder.
Authorities say the government, together with mental health organizations, is working to increase awareness and access to psychosocial support across the country to curb such tragedies.
