Mum kills 2 children after row with mate

A woman is fighting for her life in Murang'a after attempting to commit suicide moments after killing her two children following a quarrel with her husband.

The 25-year-old woman allegedly poisoned her daughters aged two and six by forcing them to ingest a deadly chemical during the 4pm incident in Kirwara village in Gatanga.

According to neighbours, the woman had returned home after fighting with her husband who was away. After speaking with him on the phone, she rushed into the house where she reportedly ingested an insecticide intended to kill termites.

She was found lying on the floor by neighbours who suspected something was wrong following a long silence in the house.

Gatanga Deputy County Police Commander Paul Karobia said the woman was rushed to the Thika Level Five Hospital where she is in critical condition.   

Mr Karobia said she did not leave behind a suicide note that could help establish the cause of the dispute.

“It is unfortunate that we lost two children following a domestic row that could have been resolved if she had waited for her husband to come home,” he said.

Murang’a Health Executive Joseph Mbai expressed concerns over increased cases of suicides in the region, adding that assistance was readily available.

“There is need for residents to know that should they find they need counselling, there are experts attached to all health centres. It is unfortunate we have lost two girls after they were forced to take a chemical by their mother,” said Mr Mbai.

The sisters' bodies were moved to General Kago mortuary in Thika town to await a postmortem.

Police records indicate that at least three incidents of suicide are reported in the county every week.